How Much Does It Cost to Sandblast? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,500 - $12,500
On average, it costs $3,200 to sandblast a 1,000-square-foot area or 1.50 to $7 per square foot.
If you’re cleaning a home exterior and need a powerful solution for stubborn grime, sandblasting costs $1.50 to $7 per square foot or an average of $3,200 for a 1,000-square-foot area. However, costs can range from $1,500 to $12,500, depending on the medium used and the type of surface you’re cleaning.
Sandblasting uses compressed air to force solid particles onto a surface at high speed. It can remove exterior paint, stucco, and other tough substances. The cleaning particles traditionally used in this process were sand, but due to health concerns, pros now use other media types that range in cost and utility.
- Average
- $3,200
- Low end
- $700
- high end
- $21,000
Sandblasting Cost Factors
Let's break down some of the biggest factors that influence the cost of a sandblasting job.
Intensity
There are four pressure levels for sandblasting, each penetrating the targeted surface to a different depth. If stripping several layers of material from a surface, you may need to use a medium level of intensity. Softer surfaces, like stucco, should only be exposed to lower pressure levels to prevent damage.
Heavy-duty cleaning is uncommon outside industrial settings to clean steel and iron.
| Intensity | Depth of Cleaning | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Very light | 1/32” | $1.50–$3 |
| Light | 1/16” | $2–$5 |
| Medium | ¼” | $4–$8 |
| Heavy-duty | ⅜” | $7–$16 |
Size
Sandblasting costs $1.50 to $7 per square foot, depending on the intensity and media used. The larger the surface, the more material and time are required to clean it, directly impacting cost.
| Surface Area (in Square Feet) | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $1,500–$7,000 |
| 1,500 | $2,250–$10,500 |
| 2,000 | $3,000–$14,000 |
| 2,500 | $3,750–$17,500 |
| 3,000 | $4,500–$21,000 |
Labor
Your chosen sandblasting pro will charge by the square footage of the cleaning area. However, some small-scale projects come at a flat hourly rate, such as the time-consuming process of sandblasting small, detailed car rims.
In these cases, expect a rate between $50 and $80 per hour, though you may pay up to $300 per hour for a complex project that requires an expensive blast medium or method. Hourly costs include surface prep, planning, sandblasting, finishing, and cleanup.
Surface Type
Professionals can clean a variety of surfaces with sandblasting. The type of surface you're cleaning determines which media are safe to use and the amount of pressure required for effective cleaning, which in turn affects cost. For example, stucco and wood are soft and easily damaged, requiring lower pressure and a more delicate abrasive.
Below are the costs associated with sandblasting each of these common surfaces.
| Surface | Sandblasting Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Tile | $1.50–$3 |
| Stucco | $1.50–$3.50 |
| Wood | $2–$3 |
| Brick | $2.50–$3 |
| Concrete | $2.50–$3.50 |
| Asphalt | $2–$5 |
| Wrought iron | $4–$8 |
Cleanup
Sandblasting can be messy, and cleanup isn’t always included in the project cost. You can hire a cleaning crew for $130 to $375.
Cost to Sandblast by Method
There are four common methods for blasting abrasives and one blasting method that doesn’t use abrasives at all. Your contractor will advise the best method for your project depending on the surface type and the power required.
| Blasting Method | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Hydro blasting | $1–$2.50 |
| Wet sandblasting | $1.70–$3.25 |
| Dry sandblasting | $2–$4.50 |
| Dry ice sandblasting | $3.50–$5 |
Hydro Blasting
The most affordable option at $1 to $2.50 per square foot, hydro blasting doesn't use any abrasives. Instead, the force of clean water gently blasts away dirt, debris, and old paint. Because it's gentler, this method can also take longer.
Wet Sandblasting
Also called dustless sandblasting, this is the newest and most common sandblasting method. It costs $1.30 to $3.50 per square foot and uses water and abrasives to prevent particles from heating up and becoming airborne. This speeds up the cleaning time, but it also leaves less margin for error.
Dry Sandblasting
This traditional sandblasting method costs $2 to $4.50 per square foot. Because it only uses air to propel blast particles, many of those particles become airborne and pose a risk to workers. However, the lack of water means that surfaces don't corrode as quickly during cleaning.
Dry Ice Sandblasting
Dry ice sandblasting costs $3.50 to $5 per square foot and doesn't involve air or water. Instead, dry ice, also known as solid carbon dioxide, is blasted onto the target surface. This releases an extreme amount of heat, dissolving particles gently without abrasives. However, dry ice should only be used outdoors or in spaces with adequate ventilation to avoid deadly carbon dioxide poisoning.
Sandblasting Cost by Cleaning Medium
Sandblasting refers to high-pressure cleaning using various materials, not just sand. Sand silica is the traditional sandblasting material, but it can cause respiratory problems in users due to exposure to airborne particles. This has given rise to other sandblasting materials, called media.
The surface you’re cleaning may dictate which media you can use since some offer a lighter touch while others are much more tough and abrasive. We explore common sandblasting media, their uses, and their average material costs below.
| Sandblasting Medium | Average Cost (per Pound) |
|---|---|
| Corn cobs | $0.80–$1 |
| Sand silica | $1.50–$1.80 |
| Baking soda | $1.50–$2.50 |
| Glass bead | $1.50–$2.50 |
| Aluminum oxide | $2–$2.50 |
| Steel grit | $2–$2.50 |
| Walnut hulls | $2–$3 |
| Pumice | $2.50–$3.50 |
| Silicon carbide | $4–$4.50 |
| Acrylic sand | $4–$4.50 |
| Copper slag | $4–$5 |
Corn Cobs
Corn cobs,the woody material left over from processing corn, are an affordable blasting medium that costs $0.80 to $1 per pound. It’s an environmentally friendly option for cleaning wooden exteriors and other soft or delicate surfaces without causing damage. Despite low material costs, corn cob blasting takes a long time, resulting in higher-than-average labor costs.
Sand Silica
The traditional sandblasting medium, sand silica costs $1.50 to $1.80 per pound. It’s affordable and efficient, but the environmental and respiratory problems it causes have led many countries to ban its use completely.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the oldest blasting media and costs $1.50 to $2.50 per pound. It isn’t as abrasive as other media and allows for more delicate cleaning.
Glass Beads
Tiny balls of glass cost $1.50 to $2.50 per pound and can be used to smooth and brighten a surface. They contain no lead or silica, so this is a much safer medium than traditional sandblasting.
Aluminum Oxide
Another common abrasive for blast cleaning is aluminum oxide, which costs $2 to $2.50 per pound. It’s most commonly used to clean glass, granite, marble, and steel, and it is unsuitable for soft or delicate surfaces.
Steel Grit
This highly aggressive blast medium costs $2 to $2.50 per pound. It’s commonly used to clean and strip metal surfaces and is highly recyclable.
Walnut Hulls
This soft, organic blast medium made of crushed walnut shells costs $2 to $3 per pound. It’s ideal for cleaning soft surfaces like fiberglass, wood, plastic, stone, and soft metals.
Pumice
Pumice stone resembles foam with a low, sponge-like density. It costs $2.50 to $3.50 per pound and has a moderate abrasiveness that’s ideal for cutting through rust, scale, and coatings on wood, metal, and plastic surfaces.
Silicon Carbide
The hardest abrasive blasting material is also among the most expensive at $4 to $4.50 per pound. It’s highly effective for challenging jobs and is reusable, making it eco-friendly.
Acrylic
Also called plastic abrasive grit, acrylic sandblasting media costs $4 to $4.50 per pound. It’s a gentler material mostly used on soft, sensitive surfaces to remove mold, anti-corrosion coatings, waxes, sealants, and adhesives.
Copper Slag
This byproduct from copper smelting costs $4 to $5 per pound. It’s commonly used to blast clean masonry because it’s efficient and produces lower dust levels than other media. However, like sand silica, it can have harmful health effects on users.
DIY Sandblasting vs. Hiring a Pro
You can technically save thousands by paying the cost to rent a sandblaster and doing the job yourself. However, we don't recommend trying this DIY. Sandblasting is extremely difficult to do without causing damage.
Sandblasting also comes with serious health risks. Abrasives blasted at high pressures become airborne and can harm your lungs, skin, eyes, and nose. The surface being blasted can also release harmful materials into the air. Protect yourself and your property by hiring a sandblasting service near you or choosing an alternative cleaning method, such as pressure washing.
How You Can Save Money on Sandblasting
Try these tips to minimize sandblasting costs:
Have multiple surfaces sandblasted on the same day to reduce travel expenses.
Get a quote from two or three sandblasting companies and compare costs.
Ask about discounts, especially if you're a senior, first responder, or veteran.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your pro will most likely bill you at an hourly rate of $50 to $80 per hour to sandblast a door due to its small size. This type of job won't take long, so if you have other surfaces that need cleaning, schedule those tasks at the same time to get your money's worth from your pro's visit.
The disadvantages of sandblasting are noise, mess, and risk. Sandblasters are louder than chainsaws and spread debris on the ground and through the air. Let your neighbors know that you're sandblasting so they can prepare. Sandblasting can damage your property if not done properly, so thoroughly vet any pros you talk to before hiring.