Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

-----

Paint filling engraved plates

 

Help!

We have just installed a computerized engraving machine to compliment the other signage areas of our business. The problem is that this is a relatively small industry in Australia and everyone holds their cards pretty close to their chests as far as information sharing goes.

The question is this, how do we paint fill and clean back our engraved signs? We engrave architectural signs into aluminium, a range of plastics as well as some stainless steel. What is the technique, and what sort of paints should we use?

Bob Dierikx
Gothic Creations Pty Ltd - Mortdale, NSW Australia

---

 

Bob,

I have found the manufaturer of your engraving equipment will usually have the answers to your problems (and sometimes the supplies to work with) I only do small items such as name tags, etc. and use a lacquer stick, which is rubbed into the engraved lettering to be colored and just wiped off the surface, leaving the engraved letters colored. You may find more information with a web search for "engraving materials and supplies"

Good luck.

Ed Kay
- St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Check with appliance control knob makers. Should be the same stuff they use to color burner settings and oven temp settings. also check bowling ball makers. or look up lacquer stick on computer.

Art Brewer
- Elfers, Florida, USA
 

---

I normally use a spray can as well as car paint with a sponge.
Leave the stencil and after color filled remove the stencil.
Its easy like 123
Steve

Ps. For indoor color fill use waterbase inks of Rembrandt from the art supplier stores like Michaels,

Steve Cotino
- Pembroke Pines, Florida, USA
February 14, 2012