Sandblasting Services by Job

Cars, frames & auto parts

Full-body stripping for restoration, frames, suspension parts, and wheels. Thin sheet-metal panels can warp from heat and impact with aggressive media and high pressure. Many restorers use soda, plastic media, or gentler abrasives on panels and harder media on frames. Plan to prime bare metal promptly. BlastTrader's 2026 guide puts a full vehicle body at roughly $1,500–$4,500, with compact cars at the low end and trucks and SUVs higher. Small parts and wheels are often priced by the piece or the hour.

Trailers, farm & construction equipment

Rust, scale, and old paint come off trailers, implements, and machinery before repainting or powder coating. Steel is forgiving, so harder media like slag, garnet, or steel grit cuts quickly. Bearings, seals, hydraulic fittings, and wiring need masking or removal first. HomeGuide lists steel at $3–$8/sq ft.

Brick & masonry

Blasting can remove paint or grime from brick, but it can also strip brick's harder outer face and erode mortar joints. The National Park Service warns against abrasive cleaning of historic masonry (National Park Service, Preservation Brief 6: Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings). Gentler options include low-pressure wet methods, soft media, and chemical strippers. Ask for a test patch in an inconspicuous spot first. HomeGuide lists brick at $2.50–$3.75/sq ft. In a local historic district, get approval before exterior work.

Log homes

Media blasting removes failed stain, finish, and weathered gray wood so logs can be re-stained. Corn cob and crushed glass are common: cob is gentler, and glass is more aggressive on heavily weathered logs. Published ranges include about $2.75–$6.25/sq ft (Pencil Log Pros, “Media Blasting a Log Cabin”) and $3.50–$6.00/sq ft (Log Home Finishing LLC, media blasting guide). Logs should be dry and re-finished promptly after blasting. Older cabins may also have old paint or preservatives worth testing.

Concrete

Blasting removes coatings, paint, and stains, exposes aggregate, or creates a surface profile so new coatings and overlays bond. Garage floors and industrial slabs are also commonly shot-blasted (a different, enclosed process). HomeGuide lists concrete at $2.50–$4.25/sq ft. Blasting concrete itself creates silica dust, so dust control matters.

Industrial & commercial

Structural steel, tanks, process equipment, machinery, and facility surfaces. Commercial jobs usually come with a coating spec, often written to SSPC/AMPP surface-preparation grades, and site safety requirements. Expect the contractor to address exposure control under MIOSHA rules and, where coatings contain lead, the lead in construction standard. Dry ice blasting is common for cleaning production equipment in place because it leaves no media behind.

Paint & rust removal

Most residential and hobby jobs come down to taking off paint or rust: railings, patio furniture, cast iron, gates, tools, and wheels. Match the media to the substrate (soft media for wood and aluminum, harder media for steel). If the paint is old, assume it could contain lead until it's tested. HomeGuide lists wrought iron at $4–$8/sq ft because of intricate shapes.

Sources: HomeGuide, “How Much Does Sandblasting Cost?” (updated June 2024); BlastTrader, “How Much Does It Cost to Sandblast a Car? (2026)”; Pencil Log Pros, “Media Blasting a Log Cabin”; Log Home Finishing LLC, media blasting guide; National Park Service, Preservation Brief 6: Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings.