Small-Parts powder coating from your garage

Car and motorcycle hobbyists, bike builders, small fabricators, furniture makers and handymen who need a durable finish on a few parts.

Price per part or per batch, with extras for sandblasting, special colors and rush jobs. Repeat work from local fabricators and hobby shops helps fill the oven.

• Careful, steady hands for even coverage
• Patience with prep work like cleaning and masking
• Basic understanding of curing times and temperatures
• Reliable customer communication

• Zoning, home occupation permit and HOA or lease rules; check with your city or county
• Fire safety: powder dust can be combustible and ovens run hot, so ask your fire department and insurer what they require
• Ventilation, dust control and protective gear such as a respirator
• General liability insurance, and whether your home insurance covers business activity
• Check how your state or county handles waste from blasting media and any chemical strippers
• Size limit: you can only take parts that fit the oven, so be clear with customers

Startup costs are typically around $2,500 to $9,000, depending on the oven, spray equipment, blasting setup and safety gear you choose. These are estimates, so compare prices on equipment that fits the parts you plan to coat.

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many jobs you take, your pricing and the parts you coat. This is an estimate rather than a guarantee, and powder, power and supplies come out of it.

Check zoning, home occupation permit and HOA or lease rules with your city or county. Ask your fire department and insurer about fire safety, confirm whether your home insurance covers business activity, and check how waste from blasting media and strippers is handled.