Parts blasting and restoration shop

Classic car and motorcycle restorers, auto body and machine shops, tradespeople, and homeowners with antique or metal items.

Fixed price per part or per batch, hourly rate for larger pieces, and extras for masking, finishing or coating referrals. Partnering with body shops and powder coaters brings repeat work.

• Hands-on metalwork and attention to detail
• Knowing how different media affect different metals
• Basic customer service and quoting
• Organizing drop-offs and pickups

• Zoning, noise and dust rules for your unit, and whether your landlord and insurer accept blasting
• Dust collection and respiratory protection are essential, so check your provincial occupational health requirements
• Used media and removed coatings (including old lead paint) may need special disposal, so check local rules
• Commercial general liability insurance that covers customers' property in your care, plus WCB/WSIB once you hire
• Thin or delicate metal can warp or be damaged, so test and agree expectations before starting

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on the size of your unit, blast cabinets, compressor and dust collection. Treat this as a rough guide and get quotes for your own equipment and rent.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on how many customers you attract and the jobs you take on. That is revenue, not profit, so rent, media, power and insurance come out of it.

Check zoning, noise and dust rules for your unit, and whether your landlord and insurer accept blasting. Also look at provincial occupational health requirements for dust and respiratory protection, disposal rules for used media and old lead paint, and liability insurance covering customers' property.