Automotive Sandblasting – What Is It And How to Do It Safely

Picture this; you have your treasured car in the parking lot that needs repainting. But when you think of what involves the whole process you, you freeze in your feet.

To strip your car of all its paint, rust and body filler is not always an easy decision to make. It is very vital that you get sufficient information about automotive sandblasting.

It is only when you have such information that you can make an informed decision. automotive sandblasting leaves your car as a bare, metal surface ready for a new coat of primer.

If you want to get to refinish your car and get that perfect factory look again, you can consider this method. This article will help you with all you need to know about sandblasting.

What is Sandblasting?


It is a process of smoothing /scrubbing the paint or rust from a surface with the sole purpose of repainting.

It is a process that replaces the old tradition of removing paint or rust using sandpaper. With sandblasting, the media used is abrasive material such as

  • Crushed glass,
  • Crushed plastic
  • Aluminum oxide
  • Steel grit
  • Copper slug

The list is endless and not limited to the above.

Why is the Name Sandblasting?

The word sandblasting is a general term to mean any rough abrasive media used to scrub the Stay with me as we get into real information.

How to Sandblast a Car

Sandblasting a car

As stated earlier, it is a process that involves removing paint or rust from the car body or frame. It Uses Small abrasive particles propelled under high pressure. Directing the blaster nozzle to the surface will remove the paint or rust.

There is a procedure employed in doing this.

 1. Choose and set the area that you will use to carry out sandblasting.

You should do the sandblasting outdoor, away from home. This way, the medium you are using will not affect others or even the adjacent areas.

2. Ensure you have all the safety clothing that you need when you start sandblasting.

Sandblasting PPE

Any job requires protective clothing. Likewise, sandblasting also has safety cloths. You should have the following protective gear before you start blasting your car.

  • Protective clothing. It includes long sleeve shirts and long pants.
  • Dust mask.
  • Safety helmet /goggles.
  • Hand gloves

3. Choose the media to use for sandblasting.

Choosing the media you wish to use will depend on which part you intend to sandblast. Each section of the car has its media that you can use for blasting.

Take, for example, if you are to sandblast underneath the car. The media to use will be rough grit. In the same way, if the body frame is the one to sandblast, then the media to use should be fine particles of sand.

Why? Because the body frame of the car is of thinner materials that can warp under high pressure.

4. Protect and cover areas that can get damaged during blasting.

The pressure that propels the medium used is so high that weak parts on your car can not withstand.

The car has fragile parts such as window pens, headlamps, and tail lamps. Also, door handles and side mirrors can get damaged when the blaster nozzle happens to point at them.

It is wise to cover these areas with a thick sheet that can withstand pressure. Or you can remove these parts to ensure their safety.

5. Ensure you adjust the sandblaster pressure

Different areas require different levels of pressure. The pressure you use on the window panes to remove paint is not the same pressure that you will use under the car.

These parts are of different materials, with varied thickness.

Technicians advise that you start at low-pressure levels adjusting to higher levels. It depends on the surface you are working on.

6. Blasting the surface

Sandblasting Car

After you have ensured all the above steps are in place, it is time to get down to work. Ensure you pay attention to the different surfaces you are working on. But, for surfaces that have thin materials, you lower the pressure.

While the harder surfaces, the recommended pressure should be high. Continue doing that until you blast the whole car.

7. Inspection

After you finish, do a random inspection to ensure the job done is of the required standard.

Looking at the whole process of sandblasting, you ask yourself.

Is it Safe to Sandblast a Car?

The answer to this question will depend on how you look at the pros of sandblasting and the drawbacks.

As we mentioned earlier, sandblasting is a general term. So, you should consider the media to use when sandblasting. That will enable you to decide whether the process will be safe for your car.

In general

Sandblasting ensures the removal of all the paint and rust from the surface of your car. Thus it provides a clean surface to start painting.

In simple words, it ensures surface profiling.

But, given the abrasive nature of the process, sandblasting can cause the car surface to wear.

It can happen if not done with a lot of care. It can cause you to incur more costs to repair the damaged car parts.

Above all, the safety of your car will depend on the media used to blast your car. So, it is vital to choose wisely the media to use.

Take a look at each media, compare the pros and cons, and see which one outweighs the other, then make the decision.

All the above goes into the sandblasting process. One big question is to ask yourself before you can decide to do it yourself or hire a technician to do it for you.

So, the question will be,

What is the Cost to Sandblast a Car?


The cost to sandblast your car will depend on several factors.

  • Is blasting going to cover both the interior and the exterior
  • Is it going to cover the exterior alone
  • Are you going to hire the services of a technician or you are going to do it your self
  • Which type of media are you going to use to blast your car?

The answers to this question should guide you to determine the cost that you will incur to blast your car.

You can opt to do it yourself or you can hire a technician.

If you involve the services of a technician, it will cost you between 1000 US dollars to 1500 US dollars. Bear in mind all the other factors involved in sandblasting.

But if you decide to do sandblasting yourself, the cost will go down. It will cost you between $600 – 800$

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is sandblasting important to my car?

Sandblasting your car is essential. Why? Because it ensures the removal of all the paint and rust from the surface. Thus, making paint application more even and durable.

2. Is sandblasting dangerous?

Yes. Like any abrasive blasting process, it causes a lot of noise and lots of dust. Also, not forgetting the blasted surface.

The surface can emit dangerous toxic substances that are dangerous to you.

So, you should consider putting on safety clothing before you start blasting your car.

3. How do I choose the right media for sandblasting my car?

The choice of the media will depend on the surface you are working on.

If you are sandblasting under the car, then use the most abrasive media. But blasting glass or any other surface with thinner material, choose less abrasive material.


By now, you realize that choosing automotive sandblasting media is crucial. In the same way, the sandblasting process is equally essential.

With the right information about the sandblasting process, you can choose the correct media.

You do not want to regret because of the job done, did not meet your standards. Take advantage of a qualified technician’s services if you are not sure of what to do.

The bottom line is, it is crucial to ensure you give your vehicle the best and you do it the right way

Our latest articles on Maintenance Tips