Parts Blasting Workshop

Car and motorcycle restorers, body shops, hobbyists, fabricators and homeowners with metal items to restore.

Fixed price per item or size of item, with extra for heavy rust or multiple coatings. You can add powder coating partnerships or repainting for more value per job.

• Safe use of blast cabinets and compressors
• Handling different metals and delicate parts
• Basic bookkeeping and pricing
• Customer service

• Check your provincial occupational health and safety rules for dust, ventilation and respiratory protection, and avoid silica sand
• Check zoning, noise and fire code rules with your municipality, and whether you need a business licence for the unit
• Plan for how to dispose of used media and paint waste, especially if old coatings contain lead
• Thin or delicate metal can warp or be damaged by blasting, so agree on risks with customers in writing
• Check commercial general liability and property insurance for the unit, and your provincial WCB or WSIB rules if you hire

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the unit, the blast cabinet and compressor you choose, and whether you add a blast room later. Treat this as a rough estimate and get local quotes.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many customers you attract, the types of items you blast and how many hours you work. Expect to put in at least about 15 hours a week.

Check your provincial occupational health and safety rules for dust, ventilation and respiratory protection, and avoid silica sand. Also check zoning, noise and fire code rules with your municipality, whether you need a business licence, and how to dispose of used media and paint waste.