A method of forming a thermal barrier coating on a metal part includes laser cleaning a surface of the metal part to remove undesirable oxides and residues from the surface of the part. It further includes depositing an aluminum containing bondcoat on the part and thermally interdiffusing the bondcoat and the part with a heat treatment. Laser cleaning a surface of the bondcoat to remove oxides and debris from the surface forms an alpha aluminum oxide layer on the bondcoat. A ceramic topcoat is then deposited on the alpha aluminum oxide layer at a temperature above 1800° F. (982° C.).