Laser stripping - anyone had experience?

[SpringCottage]

Have been reading up about new laser cleaning method which seems too good to be true. When we first moved in we decided against blasting the heavy black beams in one room, but now I am wondering if anyone has had any experience of this new technology - either for furniture restoration or stripping beams?

 

[Kearn]

Blasting isn’t the issue it’s made out to be, the issue comes from the operator.

Soft plastering sand can clean up very old delicate moulding and decorative works as well as rough old timbers. As long as the right person is doing the work - skill, experience, care, knowledge, interest, equipment, time…

Lasers seem to be good, very slow and expensive, but they aren’t universally applicable. Small areas of delicate furniture etc yep, but you won’t be using them on huge areas of framing.

 

[Cubist]

I have no direct experience of these laser based tools other than the claims made by advertisers - some of which have been firmly demonstrated to be fraudulent. That said though the technology and how it works is relatively straight forward insofar that it relies on rapidly heating and cooling the surface materials to disrupt them through very localised expansion and contraction. This movement causes the surface materials to fragment/vaporise and fall away from the base material. As far as I am aware there have been no formal studies of the use of these tools to determine either their effectiveness, potential for damage or personal safety issues concerning their use for the removal of paints/varnishes, dirt and grime etc. from heavy timber frames.

Time will tell I suppose but in the meantime I would be extremely sceptical of any performance claims and be very concerned about the risks posed to the building, the final appearance of the wooden frame and those posed to the operator and residents of the building by 'atomising to atmosphere' the leads and other toxic materials in the paints or varnishes.

Regardless. @Kearn is right insofar that it is the skill, knowledge and attention to detail of the operator that is critical to the success of such exercises.

 

[SpringCottage]

Thanks, some useful points there. I have to say that I was approaching with caution as had never heard of laser cleaning until very recently. Will probably go no further as it’s obviously very new technology with not a lot of feedback associated with it yet.

 

[Kearn]

Thanks, some useful points there. I have to say that I was approaching with caution as had never heard of laser cleaning until very recently. Will probably go no further as it’s obviously very new technology with not a lot of feedback associated with it yet.

Depending on where you are located, I’m happy to pass on the details of the chap we used to clean our beams. I couldn’t recommend him more, and I’m very particular about the conservation folk who’ve been involved in our project the last two years… he’s near Salisbury though, does travel though, especially for interesting work.

 

[SpringCottage]

Thanks - we’re in north notts though, probably a bit too far from Salisbury unfortunately. Does he have a website?