Ian CheesemanTHE 5 BEST SANDBLASTING PROVIDERS IN TORONTO
Sandblasting is like a facial spa treatment for worn and weathered surfaces, ridding them of grime and revealing their true shine. It involves propelling tiny particles, called abrasives, at high speed at any surface (wood, metal, glass, concrete, you name it). This technique varies widely depending on the type of industry, using all sorts of media (sand, crushed glass, baking soda, and even corn) to remove nasty layers of rust, paint, and mineral stains. If your car's looking more like a rust bucket or your walls are due for a fresh coat of paint, these skilled experts can give them the facelift they deserve.
How We Chose the Best Sandblasting Providers in Toronto
How Much Does Sandblasting Cost in Toronto?
Sandblasting contractors typically charge an average of $2 to $5 per square foot ($3,000 to $7,500 for 1,500 square feet). This can vary based on factors such as the company’s experience, type of surface, technique, and media being used.
1. Industry Painting Ltd.
Industry Painting Ltd. is an excellent choice for all-in coating systems: from surface prep down to that last layer of paint. The family-owned and operated business opened its doors in 2017, but father and son duo David and Darren McKague have been in the trade for over three decades.
With a thorough background in finishes and coating, they achieve long-lasting and high-quality results. It’s a small wonder why they cater exclusively to commercial and industrial projects throughout the GTA and southern Ontario.
These folks are equipped to treat massive hulks of metal from tanks, ships, silos, and bridges, but are also more than obliged in sprucing up brick and stone surfaces. They also use a range of blast media aside from glass beads, like garnet, black shot, aluminum oxide, and even eco-friendly alternatives like corn and walnut shells.
Pros
- Fully licensed and insured
- Certified to work at heights or confined spaces
- Uses variable blast media
- Works with a variety of surfaces
- Scaled for industrial projects
Cons
- Not available for residential work
- Doesn’t treat small metal components or equipment
Customer Reviews
High-quality work, on time and on budget.
“High-quality work, on time and on budget. Both Darren and his father are very nice people, easy to discuss details of the work with. At the end of every day, everything was left spotless and you would not have known they were there. We will surely be using him again for any future jobs” – Graham Morris, Google Reviews
Communication, timeliness, and professionalism were all A+
“Industry Painting were a pleasure to work with and exceeded my expectations on all fronts! Communication, timeliness, and professionalism were all A+.” – Jerry Rugg, Google Reviews
2. Wickens Dry Ice Blasting
Don’t be fooled by the name—Wickens Dry Ice Blasting is far from a one-trick pony. These experts have been providing a whole spectrum of blasting techniques since the 90s down in southern Ontario. Led by Roger White, a seasoned pro with over three decades of industrial experience under his belt, this Guelph-based company expanded its reach by opening another location in Barrie.
With a fleet of mobile blasting equipment and two locations for in-house blasting and painting, Wickens has established itself as a versatile one-stop shop. They specialize in restoring and cleaning various surfaces using a variety of blasting methods, including soda, vapor, vacuum, dry ice, grit, and sandblasting.
Handling residential, commercial, and industrial projects, the company’s notable projects include fire restoration for a hydro substation and revitalizing a heritage building inside out.
Pros
- All-around abrasive blasting services
- Wide variety of substrates and blast media
- Large mobile fleet
- Accredited by multiple certifying bodies
- Extensive and diverse portfolio of projects
- Rents and distributes blasting machinery
Cons
- Doesn’t treat smaller pieces of objects
Customer Reviews
Was able to achieve the exact results I was looking for
“Just wanted to say thank you for your recent work done in my Log Home restoration. Your crew was very helpful and was able to achieve the exact results I was looking for.” – Louise Bruhn, Google Reviews
Professional workmanship and top-notch customer service
“Professional workmanship and top-notch customer service. Everyone at this company was a pleasure to work with.” – Evan Georgiades, Google Reviews
3. Diotte Coating Services
Diotte Coating Services has been in business since 2000, serving as a subcontractor for local construction services like SJD Contractors and Conrex Steel. It’s a family affair, with Coty Diotte now leading the charge after taking over from his dad, Doug. They’re fully mobile, serving the entire South Ontario region from their base in Whitby.
They offer a wide range of coating services, from industrial and commercial coatings to multiple surface prep techniques like pressure washing, dry ice blasting, and sandblasting. They handle it all: steel, wood, brick, concrete, equipment, and more. Whatever you’ve got, Diotte is all about bringing out that true shine.
That’s not all. These pros are at your service seven days a week, even in residential areas. They know sandblasting can be noisy and messy, but they take precautions to keep the peace and minimize the mess for you and your neighbors.
Pros
- Long operating hours, including weekends
- Offers a quality guarantee on labor
- 20+ years in business
- Industry-standard media and equipment
- Also serves homeowners
- Trusted subcontractor of local construction companies
Cons
- Limited media types for sandblasting
Customer Reviews
They took great care to ensure that the work was meticulously done
“We’ve just had Diotte Coatings complete the refinishing of our 50-year-old gunite pool. They draped protective plastic during the sandblasting phase… The entire team was professional and jovial and clearly enjoy their work. They took great care to ensure that the work was meticulously done and that the entire job site was cleaned when they finished. I would strongly recommend the company, especially for concrete pool refinishing.” – James Brown, Google Reviews
Completed the job in the recommended time
“Diotte Coating Services did a great job sandblasting, applying epoxy, and painting railings in a townhouse complex. The railings were in bad shape with lots of rust and one owner thought they looked brand new after work was done. Coty and his team were polite and completed the job in the recommended time. I would hire them again for any future work.” – Cathy Moxey, Google Reviews
4. Tri-County Sandblasting
Operating from Breslau, Tri-County Sandblasting is a family-run business owned by Rob and Tina McKinley. This small but powerhouse contractor has been specializing in abrasive blasting since the 70s. Their sandblasting capabilities include dry ice, dustless, and grit blasting.
No matter the size of the job, Tri-County tackles it head-on with their fleet of four mobile units that can travel across southwestern Ontario. Speaking of unique projects, Tri-County has sandblasted various odd objects, including rusty playground rails, a detached fire hydrant (who knew!), and a set of tarnished cupboard handles. If you own a classic car or a truck, they also offer automotive restoration services.
Pros
- Treats small and intricate surfaces
- Over 45 years of industry experience
- Scalable to commercial and residential clients
- Diverse portfolio of completed projects
- Free online estimates
Cons
- Not ideal for industrial work
- Limited options for abrasives
- Hard to contact for some
Customer Reviews
The driveway looks amazing like the first day it was poured
“Called Rob at Tri-County Sandblasting… He did a great job fitting me in within a few days and they came and were very professional and did a great job. The driveway looks amazing like the first day it was poured. I would definitely recommend them to everyone I know. Thanks again Rob.” – Brian Menchenton, Google Reviews
Exceptional quality, completed on time and at the price quoted
“I have had multiple sandblasting jobs completed by Tri-County Sandblasting. Exceptional quality, completed on time and at the price quoted. Rob and his team are professionals at what they do and have the equipment to handle any size job.” – Kevin Weiler, Google Reviews
5. Ontario Blasting Specialties
Ontario Blasting Specialties is a Hamilton-based company, previously known as Soda Pro until it was acquired by serial entrepreneur Kevin Hutton in 2019. Other companies in his impressive list of endeavors include Protec Contractors, Surface Design Systems, and Lions Gate Construction.
The company specializes in sandblasting, dry ice blasting, and soda blasting, a mild method that uses baking soda, typically applied to wood and masonry surfaces. As their name suggests, they serve most of Ontario, with a particular focus on commercial and residential properties in the GTHA, offering both in-shop and mobile services.
Their work primarily revolves around exterior finish restoration, such as removing mineral stains from bricks, erasing graffiti on concrete, stripping paint from walls and ceilings, and even making highway lines from streets disappear.
Pros
- Offers both mobile and in-shop services
- 20+ years in the industry
- Light to heavy abrasive blasting
- Uses environmental-standard abrasives
- Works with metal fabricators and automotive shops
Cons
- Not fit for industry projects
- Limited scope of blast media
Customer Reviews
Found space to fit me in. On top of that, it was done within a week!
“These guys are the best in the province, I contacted Tom a few months ago to get my 78 grand prix frame blasted. Although he was busy, he still found space to fit me in. On top of that, it was done within a week! I wouldn’t even think twice about taking my stuff to Tom.” – Brian Mengboupha, Google Reviews
Turn around was quick and the price was right.
“I had Soda Pro blast some old iroc rims and they came out great. The guy I spoke to when I dropped them off was direct and no-nonsense which I liked. Turn around was quick and the price was right.” – Marco Conflitti, Google Reviews
