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 havenât 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 wonât touch it, and rubbing with a non-edged tool burnished it. Iâm sure an edged tool will scratch it off, like it would an anodized deposit on aluminum.
I suppose you could clear coat it.
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 hasnât done much to the fixed material?
Has anyone ever figured out the active ingredient in Cermark? Could we homebrew that stuff?
Do a search on moly-lube.
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) . Iâll have to try them with my to seeâŚ
Thanks guys. Yeah Iâll try reducing the LPI. Hopefully thatâll do the trick!!
Yeah Iâve seen the threads about moly lube. Always assumed it was a hack, and not really an analog? Are they the same stuff?
Donât know if itâs the same stuff, but Iâve 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.
You can also increase speed or decrease power. You can also try 1, 2 or 3 coats, if youâre using the spray version. Iâve found that 2 coats of sprayâgiving each a few minutes to dryâat somehwhere around 600/Full gives me the most consistent results on aluminum. I have not yet tried stainless.
This is a really great video on the different products, cost comparison, durability etc. Totally worth a watch.
I donât know if theyâre the same stuff. I did a quick web search and didnât see anyone claim they were the same stuff. Itâs 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, itâs all probably very alloy dependent.
youre telling me you put plain old vinegar on stainless and lasered it and that worked?
Someone did just plain wet paper towels too I think.
EDIT: yup, I searched âwet paper towelâ and got:
@chriskeilbart (tagged so you donât miss it)
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.
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!