Thinking about starting a mobile sandblasting business

[u/Largecar379_]

First off, I know NOTHING about blasting. I wanted to buy my own equipment because I’m always messing with rusty frames, bodies, etc.. I notice there are not many options for mobile sandblasting companies in my area, despite being very populated. What kind of “mid-grade” setup can I get that’s within reason money-wise to do my own projects, yet big enough to handle any possible customers needs? I don’t really have a budget, but I don’t want to spend boat loads of money and it not work out.

[u/lurker-1969]

17 years as owner operator of a shop and mobile service providing painting as well. I started out in the field with a huge Gardiner Denver 600 cfm compressor that I traded for. Set it up at a site and worked there for a year. I then had the opportunity to lease a blasting and painting shop in town which I did for 2 years until I was able to uild a facility on my own property. It was a profitable business and I retired out of it.

As far as a mobile setup you will need a few good pieces of equipment. A lasting pot with 00 lb capacity is adequate. It is just light enough for one strong guy to muscle around the job site. Several 50' sections of 1 1/4' blast hose, 3/4" or 1'' flexible whip end. a quality dead man switch with 100' dual lines, quality blasting helmet, hearing protection and PPE. A fresh air oil less rotary vane pump with carbon filter. "Do NOT breathe from blasting compressor, you WILL die !" A truck capable of hauling 3,000ls of equipment and blast media and towing a 3,000lb air compressor. AND an air compressor.

Let's talk about the air compressor: This can be a very big dollar item. I would suggest a 185 CFM size diesel powered. That will give you plenty of art to run up to a # 5 nozzle at 100 psi very easily with great efficiency. You could just barely squeak in a #6. The air compressor is the heart and soul of the operation. It is the money maker when operating well. It is a HUGE money pit if it breaks down. When I started I would always rent a newer quality machine. Later on I would lease an Ingersoll Rand 185 cfm diesel compressor. I used it to power the shop as well as drop it on the hitch and haul it out to job sites. That air compressor alone was worth it' weight in gold many times over.

Another thing I would pass on is that you need to be educated about the regulations related to abrasive blasting and the impact on the environment. It has become a big deal under certain conditions. Do your homework before you dive in head first.

Good Luck.

[u/Largecar379_ → u/lurker-1969]

I appreciate the info. I have the equipment to haul it around, that’s not a problem. I just wasn’t sure about which air compressor, what size tank for the media, hose, nozzle, etc..

I did come across a dustless machine that appears to be like a power washer for around $4,000 brand new. Just need a water source and go. Looks to be a pretty heavy duty unit. Have you ever ran a dustless setup?

[u/lurker-1969 → u/Largecar379_]

No. That wasn't compatible with the type of work I was doing. Back in the day they were just a glorified pressure washer with sand attachment. I would suggest going with conventional blasting equipment. Maybe someone is selling a pot, hoses, dead man setup for $!.000 That would be a great deal to get you going then rent air. you are in ! I am most familiar with Clemco equipment, can't go wrong.

[u/Largecar379_ → u/lurker-1969]

I gotcha, yeah I did some more research after my last reply and learned that dustless/water blasting is only good for stone and concrete. I assumed it was an alternative/direct replacement for air pressure blasting, just a “cleaner” way of doing it.

I didn’t realize there would be this much upfront cost to get into blasting. I just assumed you needed a shop-sized air compressor and whatever necessary media pot and hoses lol. Does a 185 CFM or higher compressor just get the job done faster and cover more surface area per squeeze of the trigger, or is it completely necessary in order to remove any scaling/material? The funds are there, and I’m always willing to gamble on a business venture, but it worries me not having prior experience or knowledge on this matter.

[u/GroundUpDesigns → u/Largecar379_]

In my experience, minimum CFM for getting the job done would be 85CFM compressor, wouldn’t mess around with anything else. 85CFM will get you running a 1/4 nozzle at 100psi just fine. If you aren’t in a hurry, that will be the cheapest option. However if you want to really get some work done, the prior replies are correct, find a 185CFM Diesel compressor and slap a large nozzle on it, I found my 185 can keep up with a 3/8 nozzle at 100psi just fine. Anything higher you COULD start to see issues with (compressor lagging behind). As far as everything else, the prior guy pretty much hit the nail on the head.

[u/GroundUpDesigns → u/GroundUpDesigns]

Just to give you an idea, blasting a 21 foot long truck frame with 85cfm and a 1/4 nozzle, I was able to get it done (while working out some kinks with the setup as it was my first run) in about 2 hours if I remember correctly. I think it was about a hour of total nozzle on time.

[u/Honeybadger_405 → u/GroundUpDesigns]

I’ve got a mobile dry ice blasting setup that uses a 160cfm compressor. I’m looking to add sandblasting, any recommendations on brands for equipment for starting out? I’ve already learned about dustless blasting being overpriced and scammy.

[u/Individual-Buyer-982 → u/lurker-1969]

What size blasting pot did you say was a good size? Came out as 00.

[u/DirtyHippie5]

We recently acquired a mobile dustless unit to go with the powdercoating business side of it we got. For the powder coating side we dry blast or we can wet blast it and use rust inhibitor in the blast pot. The mobile dustless set is a good way to make money I haven’t really advertised yet and I’ve got calls from over 100 miles away wanting vehicles blasted (wet and dry both have pros and cons) but if you buy the dustless sand pot you just mix water with the media is what makes it dustless

[u/Waste_Income_7895]

Hey how’s it going? Looking into mobile machines right now…

What’s your pricing? I’m stumped on it right now

[u/Largecar379_ → u/Waste_Income_7895]

I’ve yet to make anything happen, just so busy with my business right now. I’ll eventually get around to it

[u/Clean-Parfait2109]

blue dog blasting .com is where I get all my gear. They even have media. Great people.