To manufacture a thermal barrier coating structure on a substrate surface, a working chamber having a plasma torch is provided, a plasma jet is generated in that a plasma gas is conducted through the plasma torch and is heated therein by means of electric gas discharge, electromagnetic induction or microwaves, and the plasma jet is directed to the surface of a substrate introduced into the working chamber. To manufacture the thermal barrier coating, a voltage is additionally applied between the plasma torch and the substrate to generate an arc between the plasma torch and the substrate and the substrate surface is cleaned by means of the light arc, wherein the substrate remains in the working chamber after the arc cleaning and an oxide layer is generated on the cleaned substrate surface and a thermal barrier coating is applied by means of a plasma spray process.