Laser paint stripper

[nobody]

We've, well my wife, has been trying to strip lead paint from old beams and it's a difficult, time consuming and expensive process using chemicals and clingfilm. So we were considering hiring someone to sand blast the beams clean. 

 

While talking to a publican about their half striped beam we learned they'd been trying the same process but were considering laser paint stripping instead as this is much easier and less messy, but they hadn't tried it yet. 

 

Searching I don't see this on the forum, but machines are available to buy from China for a little under £3k which also claim to be able to remove rust and so on. As owner of a narrow boat this is becoming an even more interesting option, if perhaps with H&S issues especially if being used outside. 

 

Anyway, returning to stripping oak beams, old doors and doorframes etc, do folk here have experience of using, hiring or buying these tools and any guidance for the over enthusiastic DIY types like us?

 

I understands the nature of lasers, but have no experience of them in this application.

[SteamyTea]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/laser-radiation-safety-advice/laser-radiation-safety-advice

 

[Stu789]

I have a friend who has fixed and mobile laser cleaning equipment, most of his work is car parts with the fixed equipment in a dedicated booth but occasionally canal boats and iron ballustrades with the mobile kit - I would expect pulse control will be important for cleaning wood to avoid damage, also surfaces with nooks and crannies are time consuming to get a good result (same with sand/bead blasting).

 

It is critical to have the right PPE for the operator (not just glasses matched to the laser wavelength), also screens to protect anyone else in the vicinity and really good ventilation keeping the fumes away from the operator.

I would be very cautious & be doing lots of research if considering going this route DIY with equipment from China.

 

Good luck

[Mike]

Vaporizing lead & paint with a laser seems like a very bad idea. Apart from protecting the operator, the vapour is going to condense and deposit lead & paint dust wherever air movement takes it - don't underestimate how dangerous that can be. You'd need to confine it using negative pressure & clean every surface afterwards using a vacuum with HEPA filters, for starters. See also: HSE: Control of lead at work

 

If you're finding the stripping too much, there are specialist lead paint removal contractors out there with all the necessary gear. For doors and other items that can be removed, there are (or were) paint stripping services who submerge the object in a stripping tank.

[Onoff]

How about CO2 paint stripping? For example:

 

https://iceblasters.co.uk/

[Mr Punter]

2 minutes ago, Mike said:

For doors and other items that can be removed, there are (or were) paint stripping services who submerge the object in a stripping tank.

We used to have several of these in Brighton, back in the day when stripped pine was in fashion.  They would certainly be OK for doors and frames but I imagine the beams have to be done in situ.  I would stick to the paint stripper.  Work out what area you can do in, say, 2 hours.  As least you will be able to estimate total time needed and progress, which might make the job seem more manageable.

[nobody]

Thanks everyone. Looks like laser is not a good option for lead paint, especially DIY.

 

@Onoff thanks for that, ice blasting looks promising so we will look into it (as a service).

 

Does anyone have experience of dry ice blasting for renovation? Particularly stripping paint.

 

I still fancy a laser blaster but it will have to wait 

[Onoff]

Soda blasting too:

 

https://premiumdoorstripping.co.uk/what-is-soda-blasting/

[Nickfromwales]

On 19/08/2026 at 20:31, nobody said:

I still fancy a laser blaster but it will have to wait 

The next time you post here you’ll need someone else to type for you, if you buy a laser from AliEx et-al.

 

#dontdoit!!!!

[markc]

Blasting of lead paint in open areas is done wet to prevent dust, the liquid and sludge is collected for disposal.

ice blasting is great for car parts like alternators, manifolds, cylinder heads etc but unlikely to be effective on old lead paint, plus very slow progress.

definitely do not go near an old beam with a laser, might as well use a blow torch.

[saveasteading]

If it's a listed or otherwise protected building then it needs planning permission. 

If not, make sure that it doesn't reduce the timber section. I've heard that sand blasting contractors don't tend to consider heritage or structure. That suggests that they've seen a business opportunity and the machine isn't expensive  or sophisticated.

[nobody]

Thanks for all the warnings folks. I definitely need to research this carefully and talk to people with experience of the method we go with.