Blasting workshop with a cabinet and booth

Classic car and motorbike restorers, garages, engineers, fabricators, hobbyists and local trade firms.

Charged per item or by size and time, with extras for rush jobs, priming and collection or delivery.

• Operating blast cabinets safely
• Handling different metals and media without damaging parts
• Basic workshop organisation
• Dealing with trade customers

• Planning, lease and landlord permission for noise and dust: check with your council and landlord
• Dust extraction and respiratory protection, and your duties under health and safety law
• Used media and old coatings may be hazardous waste, so check how to dispose of them correctly
• Business rates, buildings and contents insurance, and public liability cover for customers' property
• Damage risk to thin panels and valuable parts, so agree conditions in writing before you start

Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on the unit you rent and whether you start with a blast cabinet or add a larger booth. These figures are estimates and vary with your equipment.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on the work you take in from restorers, garages, engineers and hobbyists, and on how many hours you open the workshop.

Check lease and planning with your council and landlord, given noise and dust. Check dust extraction, respiratory protection and your health and safety duties. Also check how to dispose of used media and old coatings, and insurance covering customers' property.