Our FAQ’s
/ Common Questions
Questions We Get Asked
The questions people actually ask before booking, answered straight. If yours isn't here, call or text and ask. We would rather tell you laser is the wrong tool for your job than take the work and disappoint you.
What is laser cleaning?
A fiber laser pulses light at the surface. The coating on top, whether that is rust, paint, grease or soot, absorbs the energy and flashes off as dust into an extractor. The metal underneath reflects the beam instead of absorbing it, so it is left alone.
Will it damage the metal underneath?
No. There is no abrasive and nothing physically touches the part, so you lose no material and the piece keeps its dimensions. Stamped detail, machined faces and casting marks come through unchanged.
What can't laser cleaning do?
It will not fill pitting. Where rust has already eaten into the metal you will see clean pits, because the damage was there all along and was simply hidden. It is not suited to most plastics and composites. And it is slow on thick multi-layer paint over large flat areas, where blasting is usually cheaper. We will tell you when that is the case.
How much does it cost?
From $2.50 per square foot on steel and cast iron, from $4.50 on aluminum, copper and brass, from $3.50 on masonry and from $5.00 on wood. Heavy build-up is billed by the hour instead. All rates plus 15% HST.
Is there a minimum charge?
Yes. $250 in the shop, and $350 for masonry, wood, reflective metals and anything we travel to. Setup takes the same time whether the part is small or not.
Do I have to bring it to you?
Not necessarily. The machine travels, so we can work at your shop, your yard or the wharf. Dropping the part at the shop in Curryville is cheaper if it will fit in a truck.
How long does a job take?
Small parts are often same day. A frame or a large assembly is usually a day or two. You get a time window with the quote, not after the work has started.
Is it safe? Is there a fire risk?
The work area is controlled and the operator is trained and certified for the equipment. On combustible substrates like timber the machine is set conservatively and the surface is watched throughout.
How do I get a quote?
Text a photo to (506) 588-6216 with a rough size, or email sales@collinslaserrestoration.com. That is all we need. A picture gets you a real number, usually the same day. A description gets you a guess.
Do you work with insurance companies?
Yes, on fire and smoke restoration work. We photograph the surface before and after and provide an itemised quote and invoice, which is normally what an adjuster needs.
Do you clean brick, stone and wood?
Yes. Soot, efflorescence, light staining and graffiti on masonry, and weathering, soot and old paint on timber. Heritage work gets dialled down and tested on a hidden patch first.