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How much do I charge to sandblast a car frame?

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147K views 36 replies 19 participants last post by  Fourthgeneration  
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#1 ·
I had to repost, had forgot to subscribe to the thread sorry.

I blasted the inside bed of that 1960 El Camino with 40K orig miles on it. Came out 100%!!!!!!!!!I was very happy and so was the customer. I now have to price a frame of a 1957 Chevy. What is the going price for sandblasting a car frame? Everything is off and it is ready for me. That was my first paying job and was very nice. I have had 4 calls since last week wanting blasting. Its gonna be a good summer.
 
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#4 ·
mdshunk said:
I've heard that you can seriously F-up body work when you blast it (warpage). Is that a fact?
Click to expand...

Yes, true when using sand. Sand heats up very quickly causing the panel to warp. Sand should never be used on sheet metal. You can use other media for body, Baking soda (Preferred method) Glass beads, plastic, walnut shell, and corn just to name a few.

Soda is preferred because it is water soluable. Clean up is easy.
 
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#6 · (Edited)
I got $250.00 for the bed. I used 300 lbs of sand and it took me 1.5 hours to do. Not bad money if you ask me. I priced that frame today at $225.00, and that was me picking it up, taking it to my place, blasting it and returning it. He looked at me like I was crazy.... He said that he could have it blasted and painted for that price. I told him, "well you better do it." and walked out. The company he is talking about will charge him $350.00 to blast and prime it and a $50 pick up fee, I already called them before I priced it LOL:thumbup: .. I got to stay ahead of the game. I have blasted alot of my sheet metal stuff with sand, the key is to keep you distance giving the metal time to cool down. It can be done.
 
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#10 · (Edited)
Frame done pics

Got the frame done. It took 700 lbs of sand, it had some under coating on it that took longer that I thought to get off. It took 2 hrs. a-arms only took 10 min and I charged $225.00. That is just over $100.00 an hour with materials. I dont think that is to bad for a part time gig.. Does that sound fair to any of you sandblasters out there?

I want to try and keep everyone informed of what I do and how much media it takes and the prices I do them for. I am still learning so I may loose my ass on a few jobs. I hope everyone can help me out by posting some of there job details..
 

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#15 · (Edited)
Correct... Cost Per day of doing business plus a profit is needed. Some jobs arent worth it.

Rich


But in Killzones case, his income isnt based on blasting. Its a part time hustle and is builing Clientele for the future. Maybe it may come to a point where he will quit his day job.



Killzone, you have to check your nozzle orfice. you are running hard abrasives that will wear your nozzle quickly.
 
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#12 · (Edited)
I realize it may be peanuts but I am just starting out. I have a full time job and do this for my madd money. I would like price more competitively but am still learning. I have no idea on how to charge sandblasting jobs because I have never sandblasted before in my life. It is something that I always wanted to do and this frame was done at my house, however I did pick it up 4 miles away. That is why I am on this site, to learn and to get feedback from others. I am not an expert in this line of work and do need guidance. I would hope that other would chime in and assist with feed back as I am posting my jobs. I am still learning so don't bust my bubble to hard. I did learn a lesson with this job, the next frame I do will be $300.00 and to me that is a fair price. Its all about trial and error when you have very minimumal help. I learned to never run my compressor out of fuel. It took me 30 min to get it primed again:cry: Any way, that is what this site is all about is learning from others and helping others.
 
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#17 · (Edited)
No words wasted. I had never sandblasted anything in my life before I bought this rig. There for my lower prices are very valuable to me because I am getting a free education from paying customers. I have no intentions to quit my full time job of 15 years. Maybe when I retire I can have a nice little part time gig like sandblasting. I take all of your experience and wisdom in this line of work and apply it to what I am doing. So never feel like you are wasting your words when you give me advice. Anyone who has more knowledge than I, is my teacher. So keep the info coming.

Thanks

Chris
 
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#18 ·
good - you're a rarity then:laughing:

one foremost suggestion I'd make (and to Plazaman) or any other sandblasters


MARKET TO THE POOL COMPANIES


Killzone/Plazaman - if I were you all - first thing I'd do tomorrow is get the number of every pool company in your state and surrounding areas. From what I understand - sandblasting is not a crowded market (like pool building is, believe it or not). 100 companies might use the same sandblasting company. That's how it is around here at least.

talk with some pool co.s in your area - something good should come of that
 
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#21 ·
When you guys do a frame, do you try and sand blast the inside of the openings or just price for the exterior finish? On this frame I tried to blast as much as I could get to. The undercoating was a bear to get off in some places.. As for Pools, I am in Indiana not Florida... Not to many pools around, hotels maybe. I will postmark with them. Is there someone who can help out me out if I land a pool. I will need you knowledge!!! After blasting the frame, I hit on it with a rubber mallot and dumped out what may have blown inthere.
 
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#22 ·
Set a price for frames. Start at $150 that is for 45 minutes of work. If you have a 375 compressor that is what it will take you to do a simple standard frame i.e. 57 chev. That is if you know how to work and you are self employed. If you have employees 500$ sounds about right. My thing is if you are self employed why not charge the 500$ and keep the money instead of trying to be the cheap guy. If you are willing to work a full time job get paid better for your part time job. I learned this the hard way
 
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#24 ·
Ernie: Welcome to ContractorTalk! Head on over to the Introductions forum and let us know something about you and your business.

If you check out the post before yours, you'll see that it has a date, just above the user name, of 2008. So you've awakened a dead thread, AKA created a zombie. Most of the "similar threads" you see at the bottom of a typical C.T. thread are old ones. I've clicked on those many times and created zombies, so, welcome to the club!

No reason you can't go and start your own thread in this forum. If you don't find a recent thread on the subject, click on New Topic and ask the question.

Again, welcome to C.T.
 
#29 ·
killzoneq2 said:
I had to repost, had forgot to subscribe to the thread sorry.

I blasted the inside bed of that 1960 El Camino with 40K orig miles on it. Came out 100%!!!!!!!!!I was very happy and so was the customer. I now have to price a frame of a 1957 Chevy. What is the going price for sandblasting a car frame? Everything is off and it is ready for me. That was my first paying job and was very nice. I have had 4 calls since last week wanting blasting. Its gonna be a good summer.
Click to expand...
I need a frame sand blasted 219-798-4947
 
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