Questions about laser engraving acrylic.

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Spats139

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2008
Messages
128
Location
Surrey, Canada
How deep should the engraving be to allow for coloring, and what recommendations do you have for the actual color infill?

I turned two pens in a pink acrylic, and had them engraved at the local trophy shop; he had done wooden pens before but never acrylic. The engraving appears fine, but I'm having trouble with the coloring.

Reading the forums I saw a suggestion for the Rub'n Buff wax metallic finishes. I used that, but I'm not getting a consistent infill, and the overage around the engraving is leaving a grayish discoloration on the blank when I try to clean it up. (I'm using the silver finish. The blank had been finished with micro mesh to 12K, and Hut Ultra Gloss, before the engraving.) I will continue to see if I can salvage the pens I made, but I can't deliver them in their current condition.

I checked laserturner's Kallenshaan site (nice work Ken), which in turn took me to the site of an outfit called LaserBits where they offer a product called Pro Color Fill? The LaserBits Tech Tips pages also suggested oil based enamels or "model fills" (regular model paint?) for use on acrylic.

At just under $9 (CDN) to have a pen engraved, I would prefer to draw on your collective knowledge for guidance, rather than learn through trial-and-error. So, if you have any experience with this, or tips to share, it would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dale
 

mrcook4570

Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2005
Messages
4,098
Location
Mason, WV, USA.
DNA will clean up the excess color around the engraved area. I have used all of the fill materials that you mention and acrylic paint with good results.
 
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