Finishing over laser engraving?

[Steve Busey]

When you have a pen laser engraved, do you typically leave the engraved area "open air" or do you seal/finish it somehow?

 

[Rifleman1776]

Done both. No problem.

 

[george]

Open air. Somehow I do not want to mess up any more with finished pen. Do another layer over engraved area would not hurt, I guess.

 

[lwalden]

If I'm going to colorfil, I'll do that before putting my finish on.

 

[DKF]

I have left everything that I have laser engraved open, with no additional finish. Ken has told me to have the piece complete as far as the finish goes when he gets it.

 

[arjudy]

I have left everything that I have laser engraved open, with no additional finish. Ken has told me to have the piece complete as far as the finish goes when he gets it.

Ditto.

 

[broitblat]

It depends...

In some cases I've had the barrels engraved before finishing (for example, if I want to fill the engraving with crushed stone, etc. I'll send off something that is still a little proud and then fill, sand, and finish after I get it back.

If I'm not doing additional fill, then I'll send off a finished pen and not do anything more with it after I get it back.

-Barry

 

[monkeynutz]

Tried a few things, including more finish over the engrave, but think the best look if you are not doing color fill is achieved by finishing prior to burning, and then just leaving it as is afterward (except for a quick air blast to clear any loose soot).

 

[GouletPens]

I agree with everyone here. I end up engraving most of my pens and I've always engraved after I've completely finished the pen (before pressing though).

 

[1080Wayne]

Seal/finish back to original surface , whether plain or colour filled . Otherwise the engraved area will be where dirt , etc collects . Wayne

 

[spiritwoodturner]

Don, I believe what Ken is getting at is he doesn't want a whole lot of the sanding that accompanies some finishing done after his work.

For me, it depends on what's engraved. If it's deer antler, and I finished with CA (almost my only finish) before engraving, I finish again with CA to "fill" the cavity so it doesn't get worn on the edges over time.

Steve, from a "sealing" perspective, I doubt is matters. For me, it's more from a "wearing" perspective.

Dale

 

[Steve Busey]

Thanks guys, some good answers.

What about Rub 'N Buff? Does that harden after it's applied? Could I just apply that to the engraving & clean it up?

Let me rephrase my question:
I have a completed, assembled Jr Gent pen that a buyer wants engraved. IF I opted to fill the engraving, what's a good way of doing that on an already assembled pen?

Doing a CA refinish over engraving would require disassembly; which could be done if needed. It would look good with a gold fill - I can get the RNB just down the road at Michaels.

Thanks again!

 

[spiritwoodturner]

Never heard of Rub "N Buff, so don't know.

And they don't require disassembly if you have them engraved unassembled. I leave deer antler unassembled now for just that reason. I like the "burned" look of engraving with deer antler, but that's just me.

Dale

 

[Steve Busey]

And they don't require disassembly if you have them engraved unassembled.

Yes, but he wants this pen, which is already assembled, and "by the way, can I get it engraved?"

 

[spiritwoodturner]

Steve, I sure wouldn't worry about it either way. I do it out of choice, not necessity. I just think it looks a bit more finished with the engraving under the final finish, but that's just me. Did you metion what kind of material yours was? If it's acrylic, there's not much to do after except Colorfill or any acrylic paint.

Good Luck!
Dale

 

[Steve Busey]

Did you metion what kind of material yours was?

This pen is a cherry burl, with some gold metallic epoxy fill in a void on the bottom piece.

Thanks, Dale. I'm taking it to the laser dude tomorrow.