Rust is one of the worst things that can happen to a vehicle. For those who live in warm climates, it’s fine if you can leave your automobiles outside on your driveway without worrying about them rotting or crumbling away, but in a frequently rainy region like the United Kingdom, cars may easily decay and disintegrate as a result of metal oxidation while sitting in dampness.
This happens because of the oxidization of metal when water is left to sit and fester in whichever gap it can find. And considering that wheel arches and sills are usually the first point of contact for water being splashed up from the road surface, they’re normally some of the very first casualties.
The CL 1000 option from Clean Laser is a 1000-watt rust remover known as the CL 1000. The device appears to finish a two-hour operation in seconds as it cleans a rusted grille down to good looking metal. And the best news is that there was no hoax or camera trickery; this technology does exist!
Sublimation is a manufacturing technique that transforms metal from its solid to gas state, skipping the liquid phase. This is done using high-frequency bursts of microplasma, which can be set to skim away a surface of rust at a given depth when combined with extremely high thermal pressure and shockwaves. As a result, the device may be programmed to provide laser rust removal by eliminating a specific thickness of metal. In this case, the laser only targets the area to be restored and does not affect neighboring areas or other metals in or around it.
This technology has the potential to revolutionize the field of automobile restoration. If a vehicle’s chassis and bodywork are beyond the capabilities of a plug-in grinder, sand blasting may be used to remove even the toughest layers of corrosion. However, this necessitates a full disassembly and is an unclean, time-consuming process. As a laser rust removal technology, the CL 1000 laser will help to reduce the time and effort required in restoring a car damaged by corrosion.
The fact that it includes an on-board vacuum cleaner may make this laser equipment even more appealing.
Unfortunately, there is a significant drawback – the cost. This cutting-edge equipment aren’t available for £50 on Machine Mart’s shelves. The most basic version starts at $80,000 (£62,000). So it’s accurate to say that removing laser rust from your project car will likely be prohibitively expensive for most petrol heads attempting to restore a classic car.
Even so, laser rust removal technology is still in its infancy, and the company behind it are hopeful that there will be significant advancements over time. This may result in an increase of affordability for laser rust remover equipment – but only if the demand is high enough to justify further research into this laser-induced sublimation technology.
However, there is some good news. With the existence of so many cutting-edge technologies over the last two decades, it’s now easier than ever before for anyone with a basic knowledge to properly repair their automobile. Whether it’s MIG welders, plasma cutters, or whole car lifts, having access to once specialist technology has made mechanical work significantly more accessible. And laser rust removal is set to become another highly beneficial tool for the DIY enthusiast!
Leave it to a few years, and I can assure you that this simple technology will be available at your local hardware store for you to buy and plug in. Do you have an outdated project automobile clogging up your garage, rusting away? There may be hope if you have one!
The cost of laser rust removal is not cheap, but it can save you a lot in the long term. When your home or business suffers from corrosion and other problems that come with old metal surfaces, don’t hesitate to call for help. Our team will work quickly to get rid of all traces of this unsightly problem so you can enjoy peace of mind again. We offer free estimates on our services, so contact us today! Which surface are you interested in restoring?