Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Using a 1064-nm Picosecond Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser for Periorbital Hyperpigmentation
04:43

Using a 1064-nm Picosecond Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser for Periorbital Hyperpigmentation

Published on: May 23, 2025

Paint removal using lasers.

K Liu, E Garmire

    Applied Optics
    |November 6, 2010
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Laser systems offer a practical solution for removing graffiti. Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers are most efficient, removing 1m² of paint in about 10 minutes with a 15W system.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Current sensing using bismuth rare-earth iron garnet films.

    Applied optics·2010
    Same author

    Loss-induced phase-sensitive spatial light modulator with a wide field of view.

    Applied optics·2010
    Same author

    Balanced detection technique to measure small changes in transmission.

    Applied optics·2010
    Same author

    Wavelength shift of the reflectivity peak of Bragg reflector structures.

    Applied optics·2010
    Same author

    Technique for imaging single UV laser pulses.

    Applied optics·2010
    Same author

    Optimum epilayer structures for integrated optics lasers.

    Applied optics·2010
    Same journal

    Multifunctional reconfigurable terahertz metasurface based on vanadium dioxide phase transition: achieving broadband absorption and efficient polarization conversion.

    Applied optics·2026
    Same journal

    High-Q-factor electromagnetically induced transparency utilizing quasi-bound states in the continuum in an all-dielectric terahertz metasurface.

    Applied optics·2026
    Same journal

    Automated stitching interferometry for high-precision metrology of X-ray mirrors.

    Applied optics·2026
    Same journal

    Experimental demonstration of an approach to designing a metal-dielectric DBR resonant cavity structure.

    Applied optics·2026
    Same journal

    High-precision wavefront reconstruction from a single-shot interferogram using a physics-driven hybrid feature calibration network.

    Applied optics·2026
    Same journal

    Ultra-high-Q Fano resonance based on coupled topological corner states in Kagome photonic crystals.

    Applied optics·2026
    See all related articles

    Area of Science:

    • Engineering
    • Materials Science
    • Optics

    Background:

    • Graffiti removal is a persistent challenge for maintaining public and private spaces.
    • Traditional cleaning methods can be labor-intensive and may damage surfaces.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the feasibility of laser-based systems for practical graffiti removal.
    • To establish engineering parameters for efficient paint ablation using lasers.

    Main Methods:

    • Experiments were conducted using various lasers to measure paint removal times.
    • A universal engineering curve was developed for nonconductive substrates across a wide intensity range.
    • Paint removal on conductive substrates was assessed using short laser pulses.

    Main Results:

    More Related Videos

    Ultrafast Laser-Ablated Nanoparticles and Nanostructures for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering-Based Sensing Applications
    06:15

    Ultrafast Laser-Ablated Nanoparticles and Nanostructures for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering-Based Sensing Applications

    Published on: June 16, 2023

    Focal Laser Ablation of Prostate Cancer: An Office Procedure
    11:07

    Focal Laser Ablation of Prostate Cancer: An Office Procedure

    Published on: March 30, 2021

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Jun 7, 2026

    Using a 1064-nm Picosecond Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser for Periorbital Hyperpigmentation
    04:43

    Using a 1064-nm Picosecond Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser for Periorbital Hyperpigmentation

    Published on: May 23, 2025

    Ultrafast Laser-Ablated Nanoparticles and Nanostructures for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering-Based Sensing Applications
    06:15

    Ultrafast Laser-Ablated Nanoparticles and Nanostructures for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering-Based Sensing Applications

    Published on: June 16, 2023

    Focal Laser Ablation of Prostate Cancer: An Office Procedure
    11:07

    Focal Laser Ablation of Prostate Cancer: An Office Procedure

    Published on: March 30, 2021

    • A universal engineering curve accurately predicted removal time for nonconductive surfaces.
    • Similar removal times were achieved on conductive surfaces with optimized pulse durations.
    • Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers demonstrated high efficiency for paint ablation.

    Conclusions:

    • Laser graffiti removal systems are practical and efficient.
    • Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers are recommended for optimal graffiti and paint removal.
    • A 15W laser system can remove 1m² of 14µm thick paint in approximately 10 minutes.