Small-parts blasting from a garage cabinet

Car and motorcycle restorers, hobbyists, local machine and body shops, and homeowners with old tools or furniture hardware.

Flat price per item or per batch, or an hourly rate for bigger jobs. Repeat work from local shops and restorers is where it adds up.

• Hands-on and careful with detail
• Knowing which abrasive suits which metal
• Clear quoting and customer communication

• Check zoning, home occupation permit and HOA or lease rules before running a dusty, noisy operation at home
• Avoid silica sand; check OSHA guidance on respirable crystalline silica and use safer media
• Old paint may contain lead or other hazardous coatings, so check how to handle and dispose of the waste in your state
• Compressors are loud and need proper electrical supply, so check your wiring and neighbors' tolerance
• General liability insurance, and check whether your homeowner's policy excludes business activity

Estimates are typically around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on the blast cabinet, compressor, abrasive media and safety gear you choose. Check your electrical supply too, since compressors need proper power.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $2,500, depending on how many parts you take in and how much you charge per job. Treat these as estimates, not guarantees.

Check zoning, home occupation permit, and HOA or lease rules before running a dusty, noisy operation at home. Avoid silica sand and check OSHA guidance. Also check how to handle old lead paint waste in your state.