…I have a solid steel table that had been left exposed to the elements for nearly five years.

Unimog & G-Wagen NOS Parts — Batch Rust Removal

Laser rust removal on a Unimog / G-Wagen NOS parts batch in Vallejo CA — decades of storage rust gone, threads and stampings preserved.

Photos

The Source: Unimog, G-Wagen, Pinzgauer

Expedition Imports Corporation holds North America's largest independent inventory of Unimog, G-Wagen, and Pinzgauer parts. Because these vehicles are no longer in production, the company's NOS stock — some held for decades — is the last supply chain for owners keeping these platforms running.

…I have a solid steel table that had been left exposed to the elements for nearly five years.

Illustration for information callout: The Source: Unimog, G-Wagen, Pinzgauer. Unimog military off-road vehicle at Expedition Imports, Vallejo CA

Illustration for information callout: G-Wagen: Decades of NOS Stock. Mercedes G-Wagen military vehicle in Expedition Imports yard

G-Wagen: Decades of NOS Stock

G-Wagen parts in long-term storage develop a layer of surface oxidation that looks worse than it is — the steel beneath is typically sound. Laser cleaning removes that rust layer selectively, leaving the base metal intact and ready to inventory or install.

…It was heavily rusted and in far worse condition than most restoration projects I've seen.

Before: Clutch Components — Surface Rust

Clutch parts from NOS inventory showed uniform surface rust from decades of storage. Mechanical tolerances on these components are tight — any abrasive method risked removing material. Laser cleaning ablates only the iron oxide layer.

…When I started researching ways to restore it, I was fully prepared to put in the work.

Illustration for information callout: Before: Clutch Components — Surface Rust. Rusted Unimog clutch components before laser cleaning

Illustration for information callout: After: Pressure Plate — Bare Steel Restored. Clutch pressure plate after laser rust removal — clean steel surface

After: Pressure Plate — Bare Steel Restored

The pressure plate friction surface came out clean and dimensionally unchanged. Scott inspected each batch piece by piece — parts meeting spec went straight to inventory, usable after decades in storage.

…My original plan involved grinding wheels, buffers, scrapers, and any other tools necessary to remove the rust and refinish the surface.

Slave Cylinder: Precision Surface Preserved

Hydraulic components require clean mating surfaces — any residual rust causes seal failure. The laser removed oxidation from the cylinder body without touching the machined bore, keeping the part serviceable.

…While exploring alternatives, I came across laser rust removal.

Illustration for information callout: Slave Cylinder: Precision Surface Preserved. Hydraulic slave cylinder with rust removed by laser cleaning

Illustration for information callout: Valves: Batch Cleaning at Scale. Military vehicle valve components after batch laser rust removal

Valves: Batch Cleaning at Scale

Small valves and fittings were processed in batches — the laser's precision allows multiple small parts to be cleaned in a single session without masking or fixturing. Output rate on this job ran well above what manual wire-brushing or electrolytic cleaning could achieve.

…I had seen it used on automotive parts, although none of the examples I found seemed as challenging as the condition of my table.

Process: Laser Rust and Paint Removal

Where parts carried original factory paint over the rust layer, the laser removed both in sequence — no chemical strippers, no media blast residue to clean up afterward. Scott's team received parts ready to inspect, coat, or install directly.