People usually find laser cleaning because of one problem, often rust. Then they ask what else it can do. The answer is most of the surface problems a property, a shop or a vessel will ever have. Here is a practical guide, organized by the material being cleaned.
Metal
Rust and corrosion. Surface rust, scale, pitting corrosion, flash rust and oxidation around welds and fasteners. Steel, cast iron, wrought iron and marine hardware. Laser rust removal is our most requested service.
Paint and coatings. Enamel, alkyd, epoxy, polyurethane, primer, shop coat and powder coat. The laser can be set to remove one layer and stop at the next, or strip to bare metal. See paint and coating removal.
Grease, oil and carbon. Baked-on grease on engines, gearboxes, molds, tooling and process equipment, and carbonized grease on commercial kitchen hoods, grills and stainless. See grease and oil removal and commercial kitchen cleaning.
Mill scale and weld discoloration. Pre-weld and pre-coat cleaning of fabricated steel, and post-weld cleaning of heat tint on stainless.
Brick, stone and concrete
Graffiti. Spray paint and marker on brick, stone, block, stucco and concrete, removed from inside the surface texture so there is no ghost image. See graffiti removal.
Soot and smoke staining. After a fire, soot bonds into the pores of masonry where washing cannot reach. The laser lifts it out dry. See soot and mold removal.
Paint and sealers. Old paint on historic brick and failed sealers on stone and pavers, removed without eroding the face of the masonry.
Biological growth and pollution staining. Algae, lichen, mildew and the dark crust that builds up on stone and monuments in a humid climate. See heritage preservation and restoration.
Wood
Varnish, stain and finishes. Polyurethane, lacquer, varnish, oil and wax finishes on doors, millwork, furniture and boat brightwork, removed without sanding away the grain. See stain and varnish removal.
Char and soot. Loose char and soot on the face of beams and timbers after a fire, exposing sound wood underneath.
Surface mold and mildew. Growth and staining on exposed framing, decking and timber after water damage.
What it does not do
Laser cleaning is a surface process. It does not fill pits, straighten metal, remove mold from inside a wall cavity, or create the heavy blast profile some industrial coating specs require on large structural steel. For those, it works alongside your contractor or coating spec rather than replacing them. If you are not sure whether your job fits, send a photo to info@gulfsouthlaser.tech or call (504) 913-0520 and we will tell you.
Why one tool covers so much
Every item on this list is a contaminant sitting on top of a material that we want to keep. Laser cleaning works on that difference: the contaminant absorbs the beam and the base material reflects it. Change the settings and the same handheld unit goes from a rusted trailer frame to a soot-stained brick wall to a teak hatch cover. That is why one mobile unit can serve shipyards, restaurants, fabricators, restoration contractors and homeowners across Metairie, New Orleans and the Gulf South.
Quick answers
What can laser cleaning remove?
Rust, mill scale, paint, primer, powder coat, epoxy, grease, oil, carbon, soot, smoke staining, surface mold, graffiti, varnish, stain, sealers, efflorescence and biological growth, from metal, masonry, stone and wood.
Can laser cleaning remove paint from brick?
Yes. Laser cleaning lifts paint out of the texture of brick and stone without eroding the face, which is why it is used on historic masonry. A test spot is done first because every brick reacts differently.
Can laser cleaning remove grease from kitchen equipment?
Yes. Carbonized grease on hoods, grills, fryers and stainless steel is removed without chemicals or water, and the equipment is ready to use when the work is finished.
