Laser cleaning brickwork - GIF

**Altair** · Aug 4, 2023, 09:51 PM

Laser cleaning brickwork.

Previously:

Laser cleaning a fireplace - GIF
Laser graffiti remover - GIF
Laser cleaning a coin - GIF
Laser eraser - GIF
Laser marking red hot round bars - GIF

**Frank S** · Aug 4, 2023, 09:58 PM

I have to wonder if water and media blasting might be faster and a whole lot cheaper

**nova_robotics** · Aug 5, 2023, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Frank S

I have to wonder if water and media blasting might be faster and a whole lot cheaper

A client asked me about a laser cleaning based machine a few years ago, so I priced it out. Media blasting is definitely cheaper.

**bob_3000** · Aug 7, 2023, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by nova_robotics

A client asked me about a laser cleaning based machine a few years ago, so I priced it out. Media blasting is definitely cheaper.

Media blasting is much harsher on the subject surface.

**nova_robotics** · Aug 7, 2023, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by bob_3000

Media blasting is much harsher on the subject surface.

The lasers are $250k. I can be harsh to those bricks. I'll call them names and insult their mother if it saves $250k.

**IntheGroove** · Aug 7, 2023, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by bob_3000

Media blasting is much harsher on the subject surface.

Unless you use baking soda, which does not damage the surface...

**piper184** · Aug 5, 2023, 05:51 PM

Maybe, but considering the manpower needed for cleanup afterwords, maybe this is cheaper. All you need is electricity (after you buy the machine) and it will be provided by the customer.

**Frank S** · Aug 5, 2023, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by piper184

Maybe, but considering the manpower needed for cleanup afterwords, maybe this is cheaper. All you need is electricity (after you buy the machine) and it will be provided by the customer.

What about the vaporized particles in the air though? At least with water-media blast you can cover the ground with drop tarps and let gravity help.
Knew a guy who did portable blasting, would come out to a site then if a building, cover the surrounding area If a piece of equipment place it on a large tarp with perimeter berms everything was contained, the residual was placed in a hazmat container and hauled away.
If that laser thing is burning away lead paint think about what is going in the atmosphere.
I like the laser idea if there is some way to contain the sluff.