What Is Laser Cleaning?

Laser cleaning is a way to remove rust, paint, grease and coatings from a surface using short pulses of focused laser light. Nothing touches the surface. There is no sand, no water and no chemical stripper.

How laser cleaning works

The laser sends very short, high-energy pulses at the surface. The rust, paint or coating absorbs that energy and breaks away as vapor or tiny particles. The clean base material reflects or absorbs far less of it, so the laser can be set to remove the layer on top and leave what is underneath. A fume extractor pulls the removed material away as we work.

What laser cleaning removes

• Rust and corrosion
• Paint and clear coat
• Powder coating
• Graffiti
• Oxide and discoloration around welds
• Oil, grease and residue before welding or coating

What it works on

Steel, cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, stone, brick, concrete and wood. Results depend on the material and the coating, which is why we ask for a photo before quoting.

Where laser cleaning is not the best fit

• Very large flat areas, like a whole building exterior, can be faster by other methods.
• Very thick coatings or heavy rust take longer and cost more.
• The laser needs line of sight, so it cannot reach inside closed cavities or tubes.
• Some delicate materials need test patches first.

Is laser cleaning safe?

Yes, when done properly. Operators wear laser safety eyewear, the work area is controlled, and a fume extraction system captures what the laser removes. Older paint can contain lead, so tell us how old the coating is and we will plan accordingly — or decline the job when we cannot process it safely.

Is it the same as a laser at the dentist or spa?

No. Industrial laser cleaning uses a very different laser aimed at surfaces such as metal, stone and wood. We use an SFX AGC-300 300W Pulse Laser.

Want the side-by-side with sandblasting? Read Laser Cleaning vs. Sandblasting.