Laser Cleaning Services
Stain & Varnish Removal
Strip varnish, stain, sealers and failed finishes without sanding away the surface or soaking it in chemicals.
Old varnish and stain come off with sanding, which removes material, or with chemical strippers, which soak into the wood and have to be neutralized. Laser cleaning offers a third way. The beam removes the finish layer and leaves the grain, texture and original surface underneath. It is especially useful on detailed woodwork, metal that has been clear-coated, and stone that has been sealed with a product that has since failed.
Gulf South Laser serves furniture restorers, boat owners, contractors and property owners across Metairie, New Orleans and the surrounding parishes with mobile stain and varnish removal.
What we remove
- Varnish, polyurethane and lacquer
- Wood stain and dye
- Clear coat on metal
- Failed sealers on stone and concrete
- Oil and wax finishes
- Weathered and flaking finishes on exterior wood
Surfaces we work on
- Hardwood doors, trim and millwork
- Boat brightwork and teak
- Furniture and architectural woodwork
- Clear-coated aluminum and steel
- Sealed stone, pavers and concrete
- Decking and exterior timber
Why laser instead of blasting or chemicals
No sanding
The surface and its detail are kept. Carvings, moldings and tool marks stay sharp.
No chemical soak
The wood stays dry, with no stripper residue to raise the grain or interfere with the new finish.
Layer control
The laser can take the finish and leave the stain, or take both, depending on the result you want.
Mobile
Doors, boats and built-in woodwork are stripped in place instead of being removed and shipped.
How a job works
- Review the piece or surface and the finish you want to end up with.
- A test area to confirm the setting on your material.
- Full removal of the finish with extraction running.
- The surface is ready for new stain, oil or varnish.
Who we serve
Where we work
Mobile service from our Metairie base across the New Orleans metro area and the Gulf South.
Stain & Varnish Removal: frequently asked questions
Can a laser strip varnish off wood without burning it?
Yes, with the right settings. A pulsed laser removes the finish with very little heat going into the wood. We confirm the setting with a test area on your piece before we do the whole surface.
Does laser removal change the color of the wood?
The laser exposes the wood under the finish, which can look lighter or different from what you are used to seeing through the old varnish. If you want the existing stain kept, tell us and we will set the laser to remove only the clear finish.
Can you remove a failed sealer from stone or pavers?
Yes. Peeling or hazy sealers on stone, pavers and concrete come off with laser cleaning without etching the surface.
Do you strip boat brightwork?
Yes. Teak and other brightwork can be stripped in place at the dock or in the yard.
How is this different from sanding?
Sanding removes wood along with the finish. Laser cleaning removes only the finish, so detail is preserved and the piece does not lose material.
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Get a quote for stain & varnish removal
Send a photo and a rough size and we will quote from it. Most metro-area jobs are scheduled within the week.