I have an order for some engraving on some stainless steel. (whistles) I have noticed that the Cermark (while awesome) can scratch off. Any suggestions on making it more durable?
Thanks guys!!
Really?
While I haven’t used Cermark, the tests I have done on stainless with and without vinegar put down an oxide layer that is really tough. My finger nail won’t touch it, and rubbing with a non-edged tool burnished it. I’m sure an edged tool will scratch it off, like it would an anodized deposit on aluminum.
I suppose you could clear coat it.
4 Likes
Another thread on cermark noted that when they increased the lpi beyond a certain point, it became easy to wipe it off. Perhaps you can over power the stuff? That is, at a certain heat it creates an oxide layer, past that and you burn it off again (though the charred remains stay behind tantalizingly looking permanent until you wipe it off).
Or maybe the reverse? Low enough power causes discoloration of the cermark, but hasn’t done much to the fixed material?
3 Likes
Has anyone ever figured out the active ingredient in Cermark? Could we homebrew that stuff?
1 Like
Do a search on moly-lube.
3 Likes
I picked up some small Cermark Tape samples at the NBM show I attended. May be easier on small items like whistles (and less messy than spray) . I’ll have to try them with my 
to see…
3 Likes
Thanks guys. Yeah I’ll try reducing the LPI. Hopefully that’ll do the trick!!
Yeah I’ve seen the threads about moly lube. Always assumed it was a hack, and not really an analog? Are they the same stuff?
1 Like
Don’t know if it’s the same stuff, but I’ve used it and gotten good looks in initial tests. Going to do some more with it as well and will let people know.
Yes, if you burn it too hot, it will not bond to the underlying material, and will come off quite easily.
1 Like
You can also increase speed or decrease power. You can also try 1, 2 or 3 coats, if you’re using the spray version. I’ve found that 2 coats of spray–giving each a few minutes to dry–at somehwhere around 600/Full gives me the most consistent results on aluminum. I have not yet tried stainless.
1 Like
This is a really great video on the different products, cost comparison, durability etc. Totally worth a watch.
15 Likes
I don’t know if they’re the same stuff. I did a quick web search and didn’t see anyone claim they were the same stuff. It’s more like someone figured out they could mark with moly lube and it spread virally from there. Given how some posts here have shown interesting results with wet paper towels, it’s all probably very alloy dependent.
youre telling me you put plain old vinegar on stainless and lasered it and that worked?
1 Like
Someone did just plain wet paper towels too I think.
EDIT: yup, I searched “wet paper towel” and got:
@chriskeilbart (tagged so you don’t miss it)
3 Likes
yes! It was the link @evansd2 posted where @rubbersoul79 blazed the trail.
I just wet a paper towel scrap with white vinegar and blazed away. The paper towel kept the surface wet. Worked pretty well. Full/fast setting.
6 Likes
Blazed the trail… i like that! 
I have been MIA for months and I am FINALLY going to be able to start playing with it again. I am still so disappointed with the alignment of the camera vs where it actually cuts. I kept thinking it would be fixed by now!
2 Likes