Service
Achieve coating-ready laser surface preparation with no added abrasive media and potentially less secondary cleanup and containment, depending on the coating, contaminant, site, and project requirements. Laser cleaning can shorten surface-preparation time on suitable applications. For procurement and specification guidance, see our surface-prep RFP guide and our pre- and post-weld cleaning guide.
See Total Cost for This Job Type
Surface preparation is the step that determines whether the weld holds, the coating adheres, and the bond resists fatigue. Poor surface prep is the number one cause of coating failure and weld defects. The substrate must be free of oxides, oils, mill scale, and previous coatings down to the specified cleanliness level.
Sandblasting achieves the cleanliness level but leaves blast media embedded in the surface, creates a dust cloud that contaminates adjacent equipment, and requires containment that shuts down surrounding production. In a manufacturing environment, the cleanup and containment time often exceeds the blasting time.
Manual grinding achieves localized cleanliness but creates an inconsistent surface profile, generates sparks (prohibited near fuel systems and in classified areas), and causes operator fatigue that reduces throughput over a shift. On complex geometries like pipe internals and weld joints, grinders cannot reach the surfaces that need cleaning.
Clean oxide layers for high-integrity bonds. Critical for aerospace and automotive aluminum welding. Owner-specified coating-ready surface profiles. Surface cleanliness and any residual-contamination limits must be verified against the owner’s welding, bonding, or coating specification.
Remove old coatings and contaminants before re-application. Maximum adhesion. Maximum coating life. No residual grit or blast media embedded in the surface profile.
Prepare surfaces to meet NACE, SSPC, and ISO cleanliness standards for NDT inspection. Documentation including surface cleanliness verification provided with every job.
White metal cleanliness achievable
Secondary cleanup cost
$
0
Media contamination
0
Complex geometry access
10
%
Can laser cleaning prepare metal for coating?
Yes. Laser cleaning can prepare many metal surfaces for coating, with final acceptance based on the project specification, substrate condition, inspection method, and coating system. The exact profile depends on substrate, contamination type, and laser parameters, which we calibrate for each job.
Can laser cleaning prepare aluminum for welding?
Yes. Oxide layer removal on aluminum is one of the highest-value applications for laser surface preparation. The laser removes the aluminum oxide layer without introducing moisture, chemicals, or abrasive contamination that would cause porosity in the subsequent weld.
How does laser surface prep work on complex geometries?
The laser beam reaches surfaces that grinders and blast nozzles cannot access: pipe internals, weld root areas, between fins on heat exchangers, and inside complex castings. The beam follows programmed scan patterns that cover every exposed surface uniformly.
Remove corrosion before surface preparation.
In-place mold and equipment surface prep.
Structural steel and rebar surface prep.