Paint and Coating Stripping

Laser paint stripping in Winnipeg, done selectively

Stripping paint and industrial coatings is one of the messiest, most hazardous jobs in any facility. Chemical strippers carry VOC and disposal costs. Sandblasting chews into the metal underneath. Arc Surface Solutions strips paint, powder coat, and industrial coatings across Winnipeg and Manitoba with a 300W pulsed fiber laser that removes the coating cleanly and selectively, leaving the substrate and any coating you want to keep untouched.

The Problem

Chemical and abrasive stripping holds you back

Chemical strippers are restricted by tightening Canadian VOC regulations (effective 2024), require special handling and PPE, and produce hazardous waste that must be disposed of properly.
Sandblasting removes the coating but also removes good metal, rounds edges, and generates silica dust and spent media that contaminate the work area.
Both shut you down. Chemical stripping needs dwell time and ventilation. Blasting needs containment and cleanup.

Laser paint stripping avoids all of it. There are no chemicals, no media, no VOC emissions, and no secondary waste. The coating vaporizes into a minimal dry residue captured by HEPA filtration.

Selective Stripping

The real advantage: control

The biggest difference between laser stripping and every other method is control. A laser beam can be aimed at a precise area, so you can:

Strip only the section that needs recoating, leaving intact paint elsewhere
Remove paint from a weld zone without stripping the whole panel
Clean lettering, logos, or markings without damaging the surface beneath
Work on delicate substrates like thin-gauge metal, aluminum, and composites that blasting would destroy

If you have ever had to mask off half a part to protect good paint, you understand the value of a method that simply does not touch what you want to keep.

What We Strip

Coatings we remove

Industrial paint and coatings from steel structures, tanks, and equipment
Powder coat from frames, racks, and fabricated parts
Marine and automotive coatings from hulls, panels, and components
Epoxies, primers, and sealers before inspection, welding, or recoating
Graffiti and markings from metal, brick, and stone

Speed

How fast is laser paint stripping?

Paint & coatings: 3 to 10 sq ft/hr

Speed depends on coating thickness and type. We provide a realistic time estimate during quoting. For thick or multi-layer coatings we will tell you upfront what to expect.

Why Arc

Why Winnipeg and Manitoba businesses choose Arc

No Chemicals, No VOC

No solvents, no VOC emissions, no hazardous waste. Fully compliant with tightening Canadian VOC regulations.

No Substrate Damage

Clean only the coating, never the metal. Safe for thin-gauge metal, aluminum, and composites.

Mobile and Self-Contained

We bring the laser to your facility and run on portable generator power. No transport, no facility requirements.

Less Downtime

Selective stripping means less masking, less cleanup, and faster turnaround for your operation.

FAQ

Paint stripping questions, answered

Can laser cleaning remove powder coat?+

Yes. Laser cleaning removes powder coat cleanly from metal surfaces without chemicals or abrasive media, and without damaging the substrate beneath.

Does laser paint stripping damage the metal underneath?+

No. The laser is calibrated so the paint or coating absorbs the energy while the underlying metal remains untouched. This makes it safe for thin-gauge metal, aluminum, and other delicate substrates.

Can you strip paint from only part of a surface?+

Yes. Laser stripping is selective. We can remove paint from a specific area, such as a weld zone or a section needing recoating, without stripping the rest of the panel.

Is laser paint stripping better than chemical stripping?+

For most industrial jobs, yes. Laser stripping produces no VOC emissions, no chemical waste, and no disposal costs, and it does not require dwell time or special ventilation. It is fully compliant with tightening Canadian VOC regulations.