Professional Abrasive blasting & Abrasive Blasting in Melbourne

How much does abrasive blasting cost in Melbourne?

Blasting costs are calculated based on the time required to complete the job properly. Every item is different factors like size, current condition, amount of rust or old coating, material type, and surface complexity all affect how long the blasting process takes. A small, simple item takes less time than large architectural pieces or items with intricate details and hard-to-reach areas.

We can only provide an accurate estimate once we've seen your items. Photos can help for initial guidance, but the best way to get a proper quote is to bring your items in for assessment. This way we can evaluate the actual condition and requirements, and give you a clear, upfront price with no surprises. Contact us to arrange a time to drop by, or send through some photos as a starting point.

What is abrasive blasting used for?

Main thing is getting rid of everything that shouldn't be there—rust, old paint, that black crusty mill scale you see on new steel, oil, grease, whatever. Abrasive blasting cleans it all off. But here's the bit people don't realize: it's also creating a surface texture that powder coating can actually grip. Imagine trying to stick something to smooth glass versus rough sandpaper—same principle. You skip this step and you're basically applying expensive coating over rust and contamination. Won't end well.

What's the difference between sandblasting and abrasive blasting?

Honestly? Not much these days. Everyone still calls it sandblasting but we haven't used actual sand in years. Now it's garnet when we're attacking heavy rust on thick steel, glass beads for anything aluminium or delicate, steel grit if we need maximum aggression. The industry moved on from sand but the name stuck—bit like how people still say "dial" a phone number. Abrasive blasting just means "blasting with whatever media suits the job."

How long does abrasive blasting take?

Depends entirely on what you've got. Small parts—your brake calipers, bike bits, that sort of thing—might be 30 minutes in the cabinet, maybe an hour. Large gate? Could be several hours, especially if it's been outside for 20 years and the rust's taken hold. Typical turnaround including the powder coating after is 2-3 days. Got a deadline? Give us a shout. We can usually bump urgent jobs up the queue.

Can abrasive blasting damage metal?

Only if you don't know what you're doing. This is where 35 years matters. You've got to match the media and pressure to what you're working on. Hit thin aluminium with garnet at full blast? Yeah, you'll warp it or punch holes through it. Try cleaning heavy rust off thick steel with gentle glass beads? You'll be there all week. Heritage lacework gets treated completely different to structural I-beams. When it's done right, you're only removing what needs to go.

Do I need abrasive blasting before powder coating?

It depends on your material and its condition. Blasting is an important part of the preparation process for many jobs—especially when dealing with rust, old coatings, or heavy contamination. But here's what you need to understand: blasting is just one step in proper surface preparation, not the complete solution. The right prep method depends on your material, its current condition, and where the finished product will be used.

For standard powder coating applications, you're looking at typical protection periods suited to general use. If you need extended protection—say 15-20 years in harsh environments—that requires specialized processes like Zinc Powder Coating, and even then, the longevity depends on the base material, application environment, and maintenance. We assess each job individually to recommend the right preparation and coating system for your specific needs and expected service life.