Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Engraving Aluminum

If your panels aren't too big...ie, they'll fit in the kitchen oven...you
can use some gunsmith tips and save trips to the anodizer. After you
engrave the letters, sand/polish the panel spray it with bake on
epoxy...available in several colors.
After baking the first color, spray on white color over the letters and wipe
off the excess (do a neat job of wiping off) and bake it agian. Viola, your
done without even one trip for anodizing.

Smoke

>> The problem with unanodized aluminum, even 6061-T6
>> is that is is still pretty soft, and will scratch easily. That's
>> why most professional outfits anodize the panels, so that
>> they will resist scratching from pens, rings and such stuff
>> that people have in their hands when pushing buttons.
>>
>> Jon
>>
>
>Jon,
>
>Thanks, That's what I've used before, just wondering
>if there was anything better.
>
>I've done a few panels before and found that the easiest
>way to do it is to engrave the panel, bring it to the anodizers
>and have them clean/etch it. Bring it home and paint the
>letters with epoxy paint. Don't worry about getting the paint
>on the unengraved part of the panel. Allow ample drying time
>and then sand the panel with a random orbital sander. This
>leaves the paint only in the engraved area. Bring it back to
>the anodizer and have them clean and anodize. The epoxy
>paint holds up to the cleaning/etching/anodizing process and
>makes for a real nice job. If using white paint on a black
>anodized finish make certain that you sand well and then
>sand some more. White paint on bare aluminum is tough
>to see, that is, until the anodizer dyes it black. Then it requires
>a redo, I know, Ive done it.
>
>Trying to paint the letters after anodizing is not the way to go.
>Getting the excess paint off using some sort of solvent will
>discolor the finish. Especially white paint off a black finish.
>Even water based paint will soak in when trying to remove it.
>I've done that too.
>
>Bill
>
>
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