Laser vs. Sandblasting
Sandblasting works effectively, but it's a nightmare to clean up. You need a dedicated room, expensive hazmat suits, and bags of consumable media (sand/soda).
⌛ Sandblasting
- Consumable costs (Sand is heavy).
- Messy (Dust everywhere).
- Can damage substrate if not careful.
⚡ Laser Cleaning
- Zero Consumables (Just electricity).
- Vaporizes rust/paint instantly.
- Selective cleaning (Keep the steel, remove the rust).
CW vs. Pulse Lasers: Don't Buy the Wrong One
This is where most buyers get confused. There are two types of cleaning lasers:
- CW (Continuous Wave) - What we recommend for Heavy Rust
High power (1000W-3000W). Like a "pressure washer". It's cheaper and faster for large steel structures, car frames, and pipes. It puts some heat into the metal.
- Pulse (Gaussian) - For Delicate Molds
Low power (100W-500W). Like a "scalpel". Extremely expensive ($10k+). It cleans without heating the surface at all. Valid for aerospace or rubber molds.
Verdict: If you are stripping a car or cleaning a fence, buy a CW machine. It's 1/3rd the price and 3x faster.
Power Guide: 1000W vs 2000W vs 3000W
| Power | Nickname | Best For | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000W | The Eraser | Light surface rust, thin oil. | Slow |
| 2000W | The Broom | Car chassis, 2-layer paint, heavy rust. | Fast (Sweet Spot) |
| 3000W | The Blaster | Shipyards, thick industrial coating. | Very Fast |