Workshop blasting for parts and restoration
Run a blast cabinet and booth in a small unit, cleaning wheels, car parts, tools and furniture for locals and trade.
- A$4k-20k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A fixed workshop with a blast cabinet and a small booth where customers drop off items to be stripped back to clean metal. Typical work includes wheels, chassis parts, engine components, gates, tools and restoration pieces.
Your first three steps
- Visit local restorers, mechanics and powder coaters to see what they would send you and what turnaround they expect
- Find a small industrial unit or suitable shed and check with your council that blasting is allowed there
- Price a blast cabinet, compressor, dust extraction and protective gear, and decide on your starting media
Who pays
Car and bike restorers, mechanics, powder coaters, hobbyists, home renovators and small manufacturers.
How it makes money
Fixed price per item or per batch, with extra for large or heavily rusted pieces. Pairing with a powder coater or painter can bring steady referrals.
Skills that help
- Handling different media on different metals without damaging them
- Basic workshop and compressor maintenance
- Quoting and customer communication
- Care and patience with delicate or valuable items
Watch out for
- Check council zoning and approval for dust and noise, especially if working from a home property or shed
- Dust extraction and respiratory protection: check your state's work health and safety rules, including rules on silica
- Disposal of spent media and old paint, which may contain lead: check with your EPA or council
- Public liability insurance, and insurance for customers' items while in your care
- Rent and unit running costs can be heavy if work is slow, so test demand before signing a long lease
- Register an ABN, and GST once your turnover reaches the threshold
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: workshop blasting for parts and restoration
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a blasting workshop?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your cabinet, booth, compressor, dust extraction and unit or shed setup. Test demand before signing a long lease, as rent can be heavy if work is slow.
What rules apply to running a blasting workshop?
Check council zoning and approval for dust and noise, especially at a home property or shed. Also check your state's work health and safety rules on dust extraction, respiratory protection and silica, and EPA or council rules on disposing of spent media and old paint.
How much can a parts blasting workshop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on how much work you win from restorers, mechanics and hobbyists, and your pricing. The idea assumes at least about 10 hours a week.
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