When Recoating Fails: Laser-Based Restoration of Built-In Wood Trellis Structures on Stone Architecture

Not all restoration projects are simple, especially when the architectural elements are permanently built into the home’s exterior. In this recent residential project, Gentle Lux — a specialty restoration division of Argento Lux — was called to restore beautiful exterior wood trellises that were structurally installed into the home’s stone façade.

These trellises were not decorative add-ons. They were part of the original construction, anchored into the masonry and architectural framing. Removing them would have required tearing into the rock façade—an impractical and costly undertaking. The homeowner wanted to preserve the trellises, restore the natural wood, and correct the long-term coating failures without damaging the stonework or the wood itself.

That’s exactly what Gentle Lux was designed to do.

Understanding the Problem: When Recoating Makes It Worse

Over time, the trellises had been coated multiple times—starting with an exterior stain, then a clear coat, and eventually a thick latex-based paint. As that paint began to fail, it started peeling and delaminating from the wood surface.

Instead of removing the failing coating properly, a previous contractor applied a fresh layer over the top—an all-too-common approach.

But when the underlying coating is unstable, brittle, or peeling, applying new coatings only covers the problem—it doesn't fix it.

This “Band-Aid” coating approach actually worsened the visual appearance. The new coat bonded to the peeling layer—not the wood—and soon began to fail with it. Sun exposure, moisture, and expansion of the wood accelerated the breakdown, causing cracking, discoloration, and uneven texture.

Why Laser Restoration Was the Ideal Solution

Because the trellises were structurally set into the stone façade, traditional methods like sanding, chemical stripping, heat guns, or replacement were not viable or safe. Each posed risks of damaging the wood, staining or etching the stone, or leaving residue and contamination behind.

Gentle Lux used the A-LUX PulseWave laser system to restore the trellises in place—safely, precisely, and without harming the wood or masonry.

Why the Laser Method Worked Perfectly:

✔ No removal or demolition required — Trellises remained intact and anchored in the stone façade

✔ No damage to natural wood grain or fiber structure — Perfect for architectural details

✔ Selective removal of all coatings (stain, clear, latex, oils, and sealers) — Layer by layer

✔ No chemical strippers or harsh abrasives — Protects masonry, landscaping, and environment

✔ Leaves the wood clean, natural, and ready for a proper, long-lasting finish

Laser ablation works by vaporizing coatings without grinding into or abrading the wood. There is no dust infiltration, no chemical residue, and no damage to surrounding rock or mortar joints.

Before & After Results

The before photos clearly show flaking latex, multiple layered coatings, and extensive delamination. The after images reveal beautifully restored bare wood — clean, natural, and free from all coating failures. Ready for a long-lasting finish, applied correctly this time—directly to a stable wood surface.

Final Takeaway

When exterior coatings fail—especially on architectural features that are permanently incorporated into the structure—recoating is not the solution.

The real solution is complete removal of failed coatings at the wood level, and that’s exactly what Gentle Lux specializes in.

Laser cleaning doesn’t cover the problem — it removes it entirely.

Gentle Lux, a division of Argento Lux, provides precision architectural wood and stone restoration using Class 4 laser technology — preserving the structure while restoring its beauty.

📞 If you have built-in beams, trellises, pergolas, shutters, or architectural wood integrated into masonry or stone, reach out for true restoration — done right, without removal.