Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Black Anodizing

In a message dated 17-Sep-00 00:41:19 Central Daylight Time,
scalione@... writes:

<<
The guy at the metal finishing place told me most engravers paint the
letters, sand the aluminum, then black anodize it. The black dye does not
stick to the paint and you are done. Problem is he didn't know what kind of
paint to use. Also, don't they etch the surface first, and if so, what will
that do to the paint. I was thinking of using epoxy paint. >>

Bill: It's too bad my old pal, Bryant Tickell, is gone. He'd be 85ish, if
still kickin. He was an engineer during WWtwice, and did "stuff nobody else
knows how to do" from mid-forties to '97, including engraving every material
and shape, but only with a "pantograph" type machine. He liked to chat, and
I took lotsa engraving-work to him, back in the Dark Ages when I did
pipe-organs, and had lots of things on those to engrave. He'd mention
details, now and then, and I watched him "fill" lettering. He virtually
ALWAYS used Testors (toy model-builders') enamel, and plain ol' Cigarette
Lighter Fluid (which is, what, benzene? Tolulol? One of them "petroleum
distalates"! He reasonably-carefully "paint-in" with a fine brush, but not
"slowly", and then wipe-off the surface with a cotton swatch cut from an old
(but washed!) undershirt or "T-shirt", soaked in lighter-fluid. Not
"dripping", mind you! Worked wonders. Sadly, I do NOT really know much-else
of his magic. His son "took up" engraving after Bry was gone, but he kinda
just disappeared, and I have NO clue where he may be. BUT!!! If this matter
is a BURNING question, I can tell you a bit more in this regard, and if you
have the spunk to ask "professionals" on the phone, for free info, an
apprentice of Bryant's, Dave Michna, began an Instrument Panel Engraving Co.
in Houston, and he "knows all that stuff", but he may tell you, "Hey! That's
how I earn my living! Go fish!" But maybe not! He may tell you all you ask
freely and with glee, for hours! I really have no idea how he'd react. Last
I knew, Inst. Panel's number was (713) 460-4124. He's very well equipped,
and knows how and has-done "custom" fonts, which he can "copy"
photographically, when needed. I haven't been by his shop in three years, I
guess, so, no clue if he's even still there!

Lotsa luck! Jan Rowland, Old Troll (but nowhere near a bridge!)