Our team at Thor and Partners is proud to specialize in historic restoration and preservation techniques, and one key service we offer is laser rust removal. Although this process might initially sound harsh or potentially harmful to older materials, we want to assure you that it’s a non-invasive solution that’s safe to use on even the most delicate restoration projects. In this article, we’ll briefly go over how laser rust removal works and explain some key benefits of using this technique compared to other rust removal efforts.
Rather than using harsh chemicals or potentially damaging abrasives, laser rust removal relies on precise laser pulses to gently remove corrosion, oxidation, and other contaminants from metal surfaces. Laser rust removal is specifically designed to only target the outer contaminants without impacting the underlying metal material. Here are a few reasons why we strongly prefer laser rust removal over other techniques:
- Energy is precisely targeted. Our specialized lasers emit brief, high-energy pulses towards the rusty surface, and the rust and corrosion absorb the energy rather than the underlying metal material. As a result, the corroded material heats up while the base structure remains safe and sound.
- Rust rapidly breaks down. Once the rust absorbs the energy from the laser, it rapidly breaks down into fine particles. We will safely extract the particles to keep the surrounding area clean.
- The process is highly controlled. The laser rust removal process allows professionals to gradually clear rust away, layer by layer, without impacting the actual metal components at all.