Blasting & Coating Services for Steel Fabricators & Structural Steel Shops

BlasTek provides high-volume shop blasting, priming, and coating for steel fabricators and structural steel fabrication shops. We blast beams, columns, pipe spools, weldments, and fabricated assemblies to the specified SSPC/NACE standard and apply shop primer or full coating systems so steel ships are spec-ready. With over 25,000 sq ft of production space, 20,000 lb lifting capacity, and a five-acre laydown yard, we handle large and heavy fabrications on production timelines. Call (616) 243-7550.

High-Volume, Spec-Ready Surface Prep & Coating for Fabrication Shops

Steel fabricator manufacturing Fabricators live and die on throughput and consistency. Steel that leaves the shop under-prepared or coated off-spec creates rejections, rework, and field failures downstream — and because the vast majority of coating failures trace back to surface prep, the blast step is where fabrication quality is won or lost. Fabricators need a blasting and coating partner who can keep pace with production, hold the spec every time, and handle the big, awkward pieces without bottlenecking the shop floor. BlasTek functions as an extension of the fab shop. Our controlled shop environment lets us blast to precise cleanliness and profile, recycle media, and apply primer or finish coats with documented film thickness before parts ship. Heavy material-handling capacity means large-bore piping, skids, and structural assemblies move through without special rigging headaches. And our in-house inspectors give fabricators a defensible, verified record that surface prep and coating met the project specification.

What We Handle

Structural beams, columns, and trusses; pipe spools and large-bore piping; equipment skids and modules; weldments and fabricated assemblies; plate and built-up sections; and high-volume repeat production runs.

Standards & Considerations

SSPC-SP6/SP10/SP5 blast standards to spec; shop primer and multi-coat application with documented DFT; profile and soluble-salt verification; heavy lifting and laydown capacity for large-format steel.

Services for This Sector

Service Area

Shop Blasting & Coating for Steel Fabricators BlasTek operates from two strategic locations: our headquarters in Shelbyville, MI, serving the greater West Michigan region, and our dedicated powder coating facility in Grand Rapids, MI. Our mobile field service teams extend across Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Southern Illinois, covering the heart of the Midwest industrial corridor. We proudly serve primary areas including:
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Kalamazoo, MI
  • Three Rivers, MI
  • Southwest and Northern Michigan
  • Southern Illinois
  • Northern Indiana
  • Ohio

Frequently Asked Questions — Steel Fabricators

How large a fabrication can BlasTek blast and coat?
Our Shelbyville facility offers over 25,000 sq ft of production space, 20,000 lb lifting capacity, and a five-acre laydown yard, so we handle large structural assemblies, semi-loads of large-bore piping, and heavy skids that many shops can’t accommodate.
Can you apply shop primer before steel ships?
Yes. We blast to the specified standard and apply shop primer or complete coating systems in a controlled environment, with documented film thickness, so steel arrives at the jobsite spec-ready.
Do you keep up with fabrication production schedules?
Yes. We operate as an extension of the fab shop, scheduling high-volume and repeat runs to align with your production flow and delivery commitments.
How do you document that prep and coating met spec?
Our in-house coatings inspectors verify surface cleanliness against SSPC VIS standards, measure anchor profile, test for soluble salts, and record wet/dry film thickness, providing a defensible quality record for the project.

Request a Quote or On-Site Assessment

Ready to protect your fabrication throughput? Contact BlasTek to request a quote or schedule an on-site assessment. Our team will evaluate volume, substrates, and coating specifications, recommend the right surface preparation and coating approach, and provide a detailed project estimate. Call (616) 243-7550 or fill out our contact form to get started.

Industries We Serve

BlasTek specializes in high-performance dry ice blasting and industrial coatings engineered for sensitive and demanding environments. We provide expert, non-abrasive surface cleaning and preparation that eliminates secondary waste, making it the ideal solution for a wide range of sectors, including:

  • Municipal water and wastewater treatment facilities
  • Food and beverage processing plants
  • Pharmaceutical and cleanroom facilities
  • Energy generation and power transmission infrastructure
  • Steel fabricators and structural steel fabrication shops
  • Advanced manufacturing and heavy industry
  • Commercial and industrial construction
  • Environmental and disaster restoration projects

Service Areas

BlasTek operates from two strategic locations: our headquarters in Shelbyville, MI, serving the greater West Michigan region, and our dedicated powder coating facility in Grand Rapids, MI. BlasTek provides dry ice blasting services throughout the Midwest, supported by both in-shop and field capabilities. We proudly serve primary areas including:

  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Kalamazoo, MI
  • Three Rivers, MI
  • Southwest and Northern Michigan
  • Southern Illinois
  • Northern Indiana
  • Ohio

What Our Clients Say

Testimonials

Sales and Operations
Clearwater Filtration

Matthew McDonald

BlasTek has completed every project either on schedule or ahead of schedule. They excel with every job in craftsmanship and workmanship. In my mind, they are one of the leaders of the trade in the West Michigan area. Their integrity and determination to provide the best service for their customer are undoubtedly one of the best I have ever seen.

Project Manager
Andy J. Egan Co.

Chad Reed

Over the last few years, we have been utilizing BlasTek LLC for various fabrication projects ranging from semi loads of large-bore carbon steel piping to complex equipment and piping skids. They not only meet the demanding turnaround of our projects but have also expressed great quality and workmanship. Among other things, BlasTek has expressed a willingness to adapt to the specific needs and skillsets of some of our projects.

Advantages of Dry Ice

Advantages of Dry Ice

When it comes to dry ice blasting, there are several advantages associated with a technology that safely removes contaminants without causing harm to the underlying substrate. For example:

Non-Abrasive​

It’s not so much the impact of the dry ice that cleans a surface, but rather, the kinetic energy released from the heat transfer upon impact. The impacted surface is literally frozen by the dry ice pellets which, in turn, causes the weakened contaminants to lose their adhesiveness and break free from the substrate during dry ice blasting.

​No Residual Media​

Since dry ice goes directly from a solid to a gas upon impact, there is no secondary cleanup with dry ice blasting beyond the contaminants being removed. Normally the coatings or contaminants can be swept or vacuumed from the floor beneath the treated object. Whereas chemicals and solvents create environmental concerns, and water carries with it the risk of bacteria growth, dry ice blasting produces zero secondary waste.

No Disassembly​

Dry ice blasting is such a delicate process that equipment need not be disassembled during cleaning. Unlike media blasting and water blasting, there is no waste material produced by CO2 blasting. That means equipment can be cleaned in place, which should reduce plant downtime. In fact, if proper safety procedures are followed, most equipment can be cleaned ‘online’ to increase the amount of heat transfer during cleaning and maximize end results.

Environmentally Friendly​

Dry ice blasting is an EPA, USDA, and FDA approved cleaning process, making it the perfect solution for most industrial and commercial surface decontamination projects.

At BlasTek, we come to work every day

Because we are passionate about what we do.