TOPIC:

I am curious,
can anyone share there experience on what to expect to pay in having parts cleaned with glass beading and also the cost of zinc plating ?
thank you Greg

Hate to say it! But most likely more than you think! Labor per hour of course, Glass media supplies, Electric to run that big compressor.
Thats just for glass beading. I plated sme carb parts my last trip to TRIPP cost me $70 bucks to re-zinc 73 Z1 carbs metal parts.
I just bought a 50# bag of super fine micron glass beads, cost $40 wholesale no tax.

Now, if you where my friend, neighbor! And bought a case of cold beer over. That would have covered it for me for the afternoon!

Nothing is cheap anymore!

Believe this or not! Check with your local Cemetery, Grave, Head stone Business's Sometimes they do blasting work, just to make a few bucks on the side!

Fresh glass beads are a thing of beauty.  They leave a bright and clean surface.  If used too long, which I tend to do, they degrade into crushed glass type of media, which cleans well but leaves a more dull surface finish.  It also creates a massive cloud in the blast cabinet, which inhibits visibility.  

I bought a batch of fresh bead last week from Amazon, and when the box arrived there was a leak through the corners of the box. I've got glass beads on the front porch, driveway, and in the garage now.  The Amazon return app says I shouldn't repack the goods so can't wait to walk into the return center with the leaking box.  

Buy a tumbler

I know someone who charges $100 per hr.  It takes me about 4 hrs to properly do a complete engine.

Tumbler's Shot  peen are great also! My Cylinder head guy always did that! But the finish was dull gray!
I like the Glass! I guess after 40years? You get used to a system!
Nothing like the fresh look of bead blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just blasted these Lectron Manifolds from Paul Gast FBG,  from my engine! This bike has sold to Ohio. I am getting it ready to fire-up!

I have a couple cheap Chi-Comm blasters! I gave up my old school cabinet! (now I regret it!)!!!!! 
2 whimpy ass chi-comm's Whatever? Miss my old cabinet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm done! I  just sold a drag bike and a stock 76 KZ900 fame! I have a bunch of stuff from Paul Gast, (pistons) that I am going to bead  blast and try and sell. But Nothing like fresh bead blast!!!!! And over 30 years! I always clear coated it!!!!!
How Bout' doing some Lines??? Man??? I remember the late 80's!!!!!

Took my engine to a shop that I think had only recently gotten a wet blaster. The guy quoted me $100 for vapor honing the case halves, oil pan, cylinder block, and head. I gladly dropped it off, as that was far cheaper than anywhere else I'd looked. When I went to pick the stuff up, the same guy—looking harrowed—told me it'd taken 4 hours to do the job, and could I see my way clear to $150? I paid 200 and thanked him sincerely.

Now, That is Cool!     And a Class Act!    Good On You!

It was still a screaming deal, seems to me. The poor guy just wildly miscalculated how long the job would take and, instead of doing a half-assed job, put in the time and gave me a great looking motor. He's the one who showed real class.
But thanks for your kind words.

When I blast a dirty engine I dry blast it to keep the dirt out of the wet blaster.  Then do a wet blast to give it that new look.

How big an investment was your wet blasting setup? It sure would be a cool thing to have...

I don't have a setup.  I use a friends setup but he is commercial and has two bead blasters (one wet) along with a sandblaster capable of holding an entire frame.  He also has a large compressor to supply enough air to use all three blasters at the same time.  

To get an idea of cost you can visit this site for blasters.  Using the cfm requirements you can then price out a compressor.  The final major component would be a ventilation system to collect dust so that you don't fog out your neighbourhood.

vaporhoningtechnologies.com/vapour-blasting-equipment-for-sale/