Cutting Corrosion Costs with Laser Cleaning

The True Cost of Corrosion

Corrosion is one of the most expensive problems industries face. According to NACE International, the global cost of corrosion is estimated at $2.5 trillion annually — about 3-4% of the world’s GDP. For Canadian industries like manufacturing, marine, and construction, this translates into higher repair costs, frequent replacements, and unexpected downtime.

Traditional cleaning methods like sandblasting, chemical stripping, or grinding don’t solve the root issue. In fact, they can accelerate degradation by removing protective coatings unevenly or damaging the base material. Over time, this creates a cycle of repair, repaint, and repeat — draining both time and money.

Laser Cleaning Changes the Equation

Laser cleaning is a non-contact, precise, and eco-friendly solution that tackles rust at its source without harming the underlying surface. Instead of stripping away valuable material, it vaporizes only the unwanted rust, paint, or contaminants.

The result? Clean, intact steel or aluminum that’s ready for recoating or direct use.

Here’s how it directly reduces costs:

1. Extended Equipment Life By avoiding abrasion, laser cleaning preserves the structural integrity of machinery, vessels, and infrastructure. That means equipment lasts longer before needing replacement.
   

2. Reduced Maintenance Cycles Laser-cleaned surfaces are prepped more effectively for coatings or welds, meaning protective layers last longer and need fewer touch-ups.
   

3. Minimized Downtime Faster cleaning and less rework translates into shorter shutdowns — a major cost-saving factor in industries where downtime costs thousands per hour.
   

4. No Secondary Waste Unlike sandblasting or chemicals, laser cleaning produces no extra debris or hazardous waste disposal costs.

A Real-World Example: The ROI of Laser Cleaning

Consider a mid-sized marine vessel in Hamilton, Ontario, that typically requires repainting every 5 years due to rust damage. With traditional methods, abrasive cleaning damages the hull slightly each cycle, shortening the vessel’s lifespan.

• Traditional Approach: Repainting + repairs every 5 years = approx. $50,000 per cycle. Over 20 years, that’s $200,000, plus earlier replacement costs.

• Laser Cleaning Approach: By reducing surface damage and extending coating life, repainting may only be required every 7 years. Over 20 years, that’s only 3 cycles (~$150,000), while extending the hull’s usable life well beyond the standard expectation.

That’s a savings of $50,000+, not including reduced downtime or disposal costs.

Industries That Benefit Most

Laser cleaning has proven value across:

• Marine & Shipping — Hulls, decks, propellers, ballast tanks.

• Manufacturing — Machinery, molds, and production equipment.

• Construction — Structural steel, rebar, and heavy machinery.

• Energy & Utilities — Turbines, pipelines, and transformers.

Wherever rust, coatings, or contaminants are eating away at valuable equipment, laser cleaning offers a smarter solution.

The Bottom Line

Corrosion is costly, but it doesn’t have to be inevitable. By adopting laser cleaning, businesses in Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, and Toronto can extend the life of their assets, cut maintenance cycles, and lower total ownership costs — all while staying eco-friendly and compliant with regulations.

Rydex Laser brings mobile laser cleaning directly to your site, so protecting your investment has never been easier. Ready to see the savings for yourself? Contact us for a demo or cost comparison today.