Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for particle blasting utilizing crystalline ice. A theory of impact erosion is presented, as opposed to conventional abrasive techniques, which allows for the development of ice blast conditions to achieve a maximum efficiency for surface cleaning and coating removal applications. By impacting a surface with ice particles which have been treated to bring their temperature near the melting point of ice, erosion is effected by a rupture process caused by the well known reaction-force. It has been found that warming of the ice particles can be realized by simply utilizing unconditioned blast air taken directly form a high pressure compressor.