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Removal of contaminants and top polymer layer from the surface of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites is critical for high-quality adhesive-joining with direct bonding to the reinforcing fiber constituents. Surface treatment with a laser beam provides selective removal of the polymer matrix without damaging the fibers and increasing the wettability. However, inhomogeneous thermal properties of CFRP make control of laser ablation difficult as the laser energy absorbed by the carbon fibers is converted into heat and transmitted through the fiber structures during the laser operation. In this study, the effect of scanning speed and laser power on nanosecond laser surface treatment was characterized by scanning electron microscope images and wetting angle measurements. Low scanning speeds allowed laser energy to be conducted as thermal energy through the fibers, which resulted in less epoxy matrix removal and substantial thermal damage. Low laser power partially degraded the epoxy the surface while the high power damaged the carbon fibers. For the studied CFRP specimens consisting of unidirectional [45/0/−45/90]2s stacking of carbon/epoxy prepregs (HexPly®-M91), 100 mJ/mm2 generated by 10 m/s scanning speed and 30 W power appeared as optimum processing parameters for the complete removal of epoxy matrix from the top surface with mostly undamaged carbon fibers and super hydrophilic surface condition. Graphical Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]