COMMENTS: Engrave unmasked. Use enough power to expose the brass. Too much power
will cause thicker engraving lines.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The manufacturing processes for coated brass varies from one vendor to another. Some of the
manufacturers do not polish the brass before coating it. Since CO
2
lasers at this power level do
not engrave into metals when the coating is removed, the tarnished brass underneath will have
a dull appearance that will need to be polished with a brass polishing compound. This type of
brass is designed for mechanical engravers that actually remove the metal when engraving
which gives the brass a shine without polishing. Brass that is produced for the laser engraving
industry is polished, then clear coated, and finally coated with paint. When laser engraving this
type of material, adjust the power so that the laser beam removes the painted coating but not
the clear coating. This will expose the polished, clear coated brass without penetrating all the
way down to the metal. Since the brass is already clear coated and polished, it will not require
any cleanup after engraving nor will it ever oxidize. If too much laser power is used, the brass
the clear coat will be removed and the brass underneath will be exposed to the heat of the laser
beam causing instant tarnish. The same goes for enamel coated pens, some are polished and
clear coated underneath, and others are tarnished which will require polishing after engraving.
If polishing the brass, use a soft, non-abrasive cloth or tissue and good quality brass polish.
Be careful not to rub too hard as this will scratch the painted coating. Do not use paper towels
either because they will scratch also. Clear coated brass can also be engraved and the
engraved area turned black with an oxidizer giving exceptional results. Test clear coated brass
from different vendors as not all of them will work properly. If the brass, after being engraved,
does not oxidize with the acid solution, apply automotive fine grit rubbing compound to the
engraved area with a soft cloth. This will remove any clear coat that is remaining and will allow
the brass to oxidize with the acid. Apply the same parameters and engraving techniques when
using coated aluminum.
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