Have access to a compressor? Head to Princess Auto and buy the stuff to do it yourself! 
Seriously though, for the prices you've been quoted to have them sandblasted, you could get the powdercoated for not much more at RLD (on Albion Rd.).
http://rldindustries.com/
-Ryan

Seriously though, for the prices you've been quoted to have them sandblasted, you could get the powdercoated for not much more at RLD (on Albion Rd.).
http://rldindustries.com/
-Ryan