Customer Testimonials | Z-Beam Laser Cleaning

Needed to strip old varnish off of a vintage entry table and stripper wasn’t even close to being enough. We needed something stronger but not something that would destroy the wood. So we contacted Z-Beam Laser. The owner was able to accommodate our schedule and brought over their powerful laser tool. This laser is amazing at tackling intricate woodwork designs, such as the one on our table. Stripper and sandpaper would have been long, tedious, backbreaking work. The Z-Beam laser got the job done in about 5 hours. It was work! But very satisfying. Very rewarding. Cost us about $800 to rent. Owner showed us how to use the laser in about 30 minutes. Special goggles to protect our eyes were included. Highly recommend this company for difficult, intricate jobs.

I have a solid steel table that had been left exposed to the elements for nearly five years. It was heavily rusted and in far worse condition than most restoration projects I've seen. When I started researching ways to restore it, I was fully prepared to put in the work. My original plan involved grinding wheels, buffers, scrapers, and any other tools necessary to remove the rust and refinish the surface. While exploring alternatives, I came across laser rust removal. I had seen it used on automotive parts, although none of the examples I found seemed as challenging as the condition of my table. After making a few calls, Z-Beam responded the very same day. Todd came to my home within a couple of hours of receiving the photos I sent. He inspected the table, discussed realistic expectations, explained the process in detail, and answered all of my questions. He then set up the equipment, demonstrated how it worked, and performed several test passes in different areas. About a week later, when I had time to dedicate to the project, I decided to move forward. Todd brought the equipment back, set everything up, and stayed long enough to make sure I was comfortable with the process and had everything I needed. In total, I spent about seven hours on the project, including preparation work and some initial wire-brushing to remove heavier rust buildup so the laser could work directly on the surface. The results exceeded my expectations. To be clear, laser rust removal isn't magic—you still need to put in effort. However, if you're willing to do the work, the process is incredibly effective. I had originally expected to spend several days restoring this table. Instead, I completed the majority of the work in a single day. Had I used traditional grinding and abrasive methods, I would have spent significant additional time dealing with swirl marks, scratches, grooves, and cleanup afterward. With the laser, I achieved a much cleaner result with far less finishing work required. At this point, the table only needs a bit of light sanding in a few damaged areas and a clear coat to complete the restoration. For me, the biggest benefit was the time and energy savings. I genuinely saved days of hard labor while achieving a cleaner, more professional-looking result than I believe I could have accomplished with the other methods I considered. As for Z-Beam and Todd, this was one of the best experiences I've had with any company. Communication was prompt, expectations were explained clearly, and Todd took the time to ensure I understood both the process and the equipment. I never felt rushed and always felt supported throughout the project. I would highly recommend Todd and Z-Beam to anyone facing a difficult restoration project. Beyond the physical time savings, the process allowed me to focus on the bigger picture of the restoration instead of spending days grinding away at small sections. The immediate results kept the project moving forward and made the entire experience far more enjoyable. Hands down, this was one of the most effective tools I've ever used for a restoration project, and one that delivered real savings in both time and effort. Thank you again, Todd!

I recently spent a day with Z-Beam running a wide range of real-world laser ablation tests on antique and restoration items, and I was extremely impressed with the rig, equipment and the support provided by Todd Dunning. Todd came out and worked through multiple test scenarios with me involving antique outboard motors, vintage National Cash Registers, old scales, wood components, and other restoration pieces. The goal was not a simple demo, I wanted to thoroughly evaluate how effective the laser ablation would be across different materials, coatings, finishes, oxidation levels, and restoration situations. In essence to bypass the video hype and see if this solution would be a good fit for my line of work. What stood out most was Todd’s willingness to experiment, adjust settings, explain the process, and genuinely work through the pros and cons of each approach. We tested a broad gamut of materials and applications, and the experience gave me a much better understanding of where laser ablation excels compared to traditional media blasting methods. As someone who already owns new media blasting equipment, we both agreed that I should focus on soda and glass bead blasting. The decision had nothing to do with the quality of the Z-Beam system or the support I received. In fact, the experience increased my respect for the technology and its potential, especially for delicate or high-value restoration work. If you are considering laser ablation for antiques, restoration, industrial cleanup, or precision surface preparation, I highly recommend spending time with Todd and the Z-Beam team. Very professional, knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely interested in helping customers understand the technology before making a decision.

Todd was great, very professional and accommodating. I was super satisfied with the service!

Amazing experience! We rented their laser for some furniture stripping projects. Todd took the time to demo the machine for us, answer all our questions, and made sure we were comfortable. The laser was of the highest quality and we look forward to using Z-beam for future projects. Highly recommend!