War Memorial
Stone Restoration

The Challenge

The memorial had stood in its town square for over a century, honouring the men of the local community who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars. Over the decades, the pale Scottish granite had become progressively darkened by atmospheric pollution, vehicle exhaust particulates, and extensive lichen and biological growth.

By the time LSR was commissioned, the engraved names on the base panels were almost entirely obscured beneath a thick black crust. The local community group responsible for the memorial had previously been advised that sandblasting was the only viable option — but had concerns about the risk of damaging the delicate engraved lettering and the original surface texture of the stone.

The memorial is not a listed structure, but the community group wanted a method that would be sensitive to its historical and emotional significance. They required a solution that would restore legibility to the inscriptions without any risk of damage to the original stonework.

Why Laser Cleaning Was the Right Choice

Sandblasting — the traditional alternative — would have removed the pollution effectively, but carries a significant risk of surface erosion on granite, particularly in areas of fine engraved detail. Chemical treatments were ruled out due to the proximity of the memorial to a public space and the risk of chemical runoff onto the surrounding paving.

Laser cleaning offered a non-contact, chemically-free solution with millimetre-level precision. The laser energy is absorbed by the dark pollution layer and vaporises it, while the lighter-coloured granite beneath reflects the beam — a natural selectivity that makes it ideal for heritage stonework. No abrasion, no chemicals, no risk to the underlying stone.

A test patch was carried out on a less visible section of the base before full works commenced, confirming the approach was safe and effective on this particular granite.

The Process

Works were carried out over two days. The memorial was cordoned off with temporary barriers and signage to protect the public during laser operations. The technician worked systematically across each panel, adjusting laser parameters for the varying depths of pollution and the sensitivity of the engraved areas.

Particular care was taken around the inscribed names and dates, where a lower power setting and slower pass speed were used to ensure the fine letterforms were fully preserved. The biological growth — lichen and moss — required slightly higher energy passes to fully vaporise the root structures and prevent rapid regrowth.

All waste — vaporised particulate matter — was captured using a localised extraction unit. No secondary waste was generated, and the site was left clean at the end of each working day.

The Result

The transformation was striking. The granite was restored to a warm pale grey — its original colour — and every engraved name, rank, and date was once again fully legible. The surface texture of the stone was entirely preserved, with no pitting, erosion, or alteration to the original finish.

The community group reported that several local residents stopped to comment during the works, and that the restored memorial received significant attention at the following Remembrance Sunday service. The client confirmed they would commission LSR for the periodic maintenance cleaning of the memorial going forward.