| Although you can get engraving materials with a wide | | | | remove any skin that has formed. Rub the stick back |
| variety of color, thickness and finishing options, you | | | | and forth across the engraving as if using a crayon |
| may find you want to experiment with the color of the | | | | until all the letters are filled, wiping off any excess paint |
| engraving when using engraving equipment. There are | | | | with a paper towel. Alcohol and paint thinner work well |
| a number of approaches you can take. The 3 most | | | | to remove any excess film that doesn't wipe away |
| popular coloring methods for using engraving | | | | easily, but you'll find it even easier to let the paint dry |
| equipment include oxidizing, paint stick and paint filling. | | | | overnight and then wash it with warm water and a |
| Oxidizing | | | | non-abrasive cleaner. Paint sticks are convenient and |
| Oxidizing uses a mild acid to blacken the engraving on | | | | durable, but don't have that smooth gloss that you'll get |
| brass or aluminum. Since the oxidizing isn't selected on | | | | from actual paint. |
| where it works on the engraving equipment, it can only | | | | Paint Filling |
| be used on metals that already have some kind of | | | | Paint filling offers the best options for coloring the work |
| coating that is already removed through the engraving | | | | of engraving equipment when it comes to materials, |
| process. Brass has a lacquer coating or a similar finish. | | | | colors and applications. Metals and rigid plastics |
| Aluminum is usually coated with lacquer, or it can be | | | | generally work best with a fast-drying, oil based |
| anodized. Remove these finishes with engraving | | | | enamel with mineral spirits for cleaning. Soft plastics |
| equipment that has a diamond graver, burnishing or | | | | and other materials may be damaged by caustic |
| rotary cutter, and you can blacken the exposed areas | | | | solvents, so latex or acrylic paints work best, with |
| with the oxidation solution without affecting the rest of | | | | alcohol or water used for cleanup. Aside from the |
| the plate. | | | | paint, you'll also need a brush, an old phone book or |
| The oxidizing substance is best applied with cotton | | | | newspaper, and stiff pieces of thick paper about the |
| swabs, as opposed to a dauber. Remember to | | | | size and weight of your average business card. |
| always keep the engraver free of any oil or | | | | Make sure that the engraving is smooth, burr free, and |
| fingerprints. Apply oxidizer soon after engraving so the | | | | have enough depth to hold the paint. Characters ΒΌ" |
| full effect of the oxidizer can be applied. | | | | high generally take an engraving with a depth of .010" |
| Paint Stick | | | | or .012". When using engraving equipment, you'll want |
| Applying a color fill to the work of engraving equipment | | | | coloring options. The right method depends on the |
| can only be done on rotary engraved plates that have | | | | material and depth of the paint. Coloring gives the |
| sufficient depth. This is usually done with paint through | | | | engraver more to work with when creating an |
| a paint stick that looks like a large crayon. They come | | | | attractive sign with eye catching lettering. It's always |
| in a variety of colors and are easy to use. | | | | best to have options. |
| You start by shaving the end of the paint stick to | | | | |