Lasers

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82122711#Comment_82122711

The wavelength of the laser is the key, they use something around 1070 nm which is heavily absorbed by iron oxide but predominately reflected by steel hence the rust is vapourised and the base is unimpacted. Obviously a high power continuous laser held in place for a couple seconds will burn the metal too but for cleaning rust most are lower powered pulsing options are used giving the same instant burn of the iron oxide but more time before the steel is damaged from heating.

born_again

So who is going to put their money where their mouth is & buy one?

forgotmyname

The question is who can justify buying one? Seen a few youtubers but I think they got free units from the manufacturer
or the units were only supplied for review and returned.

Slow and difficult to get into corners and may still need blasting or dipping to remove the rust it misses. A lot of speciality
blasting media available these days that can remove rust without damaging good metal which is probably safer than
using a laser.

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82125081#Comment_82125081

I have seen a few videos of lasers being used for other things, such as removing graffiti

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82125081#Comment_82125081

Professionals who make their living from it and can offset the cost against their revenue plus the occasional hobbiest who is willing to spend silly money on stuff they like. Some of the hobbyists will also be surprisingly normal people not just the ultra wealthy… the one person I know with a £40,000 projector is a refuse collector with a single truck that he operates himself 6 days a week.

facade

I'd love one!

If I were 30 years younger I'd definitely buy one, but now I really don't have a use for it, and it would be just something else for my executor to dispose of (along with those Lidl power tools that I couldn't resist and have only used once or twice…)