Lead Settings

When laser cleaning lead, watch its tendency to melt easily. Start with very low power right away. I've seen surfaces puddle if you push too hard. This works when you keep pulses short and focused. Lead's softness means it responds quickly to heat. So, gentle passes bring back the shine without damage. Tends to reflect a lot of laser energy too. That makes cleaning slower than on darker metals. Adjust by overlapping scans a bit more. Its density holds heat in spots, so move the beam steadily. I've found this prevents warping on thin pieces. Avoid rushing with high speed. Lead can smear or oxidize if you do. Instead, do multiple light passes. That clears rust and grime safely, especially on old roofing or shields. In my experience, it restores heritage items perfectly this way.