In short: Old oil paint on beams is removed most cleanly with a pulsed laser. It works without abrasive and without chemicals, so the wood returns to its original state and the grain and texture stay intact. We work on site, on ceiling beams in houses, churches and old granaries. We protect the room with plastic sheeting, because the laser produces a lot of dust.
Why is old paint on beams a problem?
Oil paint on beams holds firmly, peels unevenly and covers wood that should be visible after the renovation. There are often several layers from different years. Paint also sits in the grain, cracks and recesses of the wood. In a renovation the goal is to remove only the paint and keep the wood.
How to remove paint from beams: heat gun, chemicals, sandblasting or laser?
Every method will remove paint, but they differ in what is left of the wood:
- Heat gun and scraper: slow, tedious with many layers, and hot air near old, dry wood is a fire risk.
- Chemical strippers: on a beam overhead they drip, get into cracks and must be washed off afterwards. In a church or a lived-in house that is a problem.
- Sandblasting: fast on large, simple surfaces and can be cheaper. But together with the paint it removes the top layer of wood, and the abrasive ends up in every corner of the building.
- Laser: removes paint layer by layer, without abrasive or chemicals touching the wood. The wood stays in its original state.
More about the service: laser wood cleaning.
What does laser cleaning of beams look like?
We work with a pulsed laser, the same one we use on historic buildings and delicate surfaces. Step by step:
- Test on a sample. On a piece of the beam we check how the paint comes off and what result is possible. The quote depends on it.
- Protection. We cover the room with clear renovation sheeting: floor, walls, windows, furnishings.
- Cleaning. The operator guides the beam of light along the timber, layer by layer, until clean wood appears.
- Clean-up. We remove the sheeting together with the dust.
This is how we worked on beams in a church, in a house and in an old granary. We have cleaned many beams covered with old oil paint. Any wood used for beams can be cleaned with a laser.
Does the laser damage or burn the wood?
No. A pulsed laser works in short pulses and removes the paint without penetrating the wood. After the work the beam has its natural colour and texture, and it does not need sanding to get rid of paint residue. You see the result on the sample before we start the whole job.
Is laser cleaning dusty?
Yes, quite a lot. Paint removed by the laser turns into fine dust and smoke. That is why we always protect the room with sheeting, and it is better if nobody stays in it during the work. For comparison: after sandblasting, besides dust, abrasive remains all over the building.
How long does it take and how much does it cost?
Laser cleaning of beams is not fast, because we remove the paint thoroughly, from every recess. We charge per hour of pulsed laser work with an operator, from PLN 380 net. The time depends on the number and size of the beams, paint thickness and access (height, scaffolding). We give an exact quote after a test on a sample. For longer projects the rate is lower.
Beams in a historic building: what about the conservator?
If the building is a listed monument, the scope and method of cleaning are set by the conservator in charge, and we carry out the laser cleaning according to their instructions. In Poland, work on a registered monument requires a permit from the regional monuments conservator; other countries have their own rules. A pulsed laser is often chosen here, because it removes only the paint and the original wood stays.
Frequently asked questions
Can a laser remove several layers of old oil paint from beams?
Yes. The laser removes paint layer by layer, down to clean wood. We check the result on a sample first.
Do the beams have to be taken down for cleaning?
No. We clean ceiling beams on site, in the building. We protect the room with renovation sheeting.
Do the beams need sanding after the laser?
Not to remove paint residue, because the laser takes it off down to clean wood. Further finishing (oil, wax, varnish) depends on how the beams should look after the renovation.
How much does laser cleaning of beams cost?
Pulsed laser work with an operator costs from PLN 380 net per hour. We give the exact price after a test on a sample.
Old paint on beams in your house or historic building?
Send a photo of the beams to biuro@omme.pl or via WhatsApp and we will tell you whether a laser makes sense. You can also call +48 570 471 653. We work across Poland and in the EU. Service details: laser wood cleaning. Contact: contact form and details.
