I found a question on reddit recently, with a fellow redditor looking for help with a project, engraving red-painted slate.
Engraving on painted surfaces can be a bit tricky, especially with colors like red. The asked had already tried a good set of parameters with their LaserPecker 4, but sometimes it’s just about tweaking things a bit more. Here are a few tips:
- Paint Type and Thickness: Some paints, especially glossy or thick ones, can be harder to engrave. If the paint layer is too thick or uneven, it might cause issues. Matte paints usually work better.
- Power and Speed: Since already maxing out the power, maybe try playing around with the speed and depth. Increasing the depth gradually and doing more passes might help. Sometimes, more passes at a slightly lower depth work better than fewer passes at a higher depth.
- Focus: Double-check the laser focus. If it’s not spot-on, the engraving won’t come out right.
- Contrast and Brightness: Adjust the contrast and brightness of your image in the design software. This can make the engraving clearer.
- Test Runs: Always a good idea to do a small test run first. This saves you from potentially ruining the whole piece.
- Surface Prep: Make sure the material under the paint is good for engraving. If it’s not, it can mess with the results.
Red paint can be particularly challenging due to its pigment and reflectivity. You might need to:
- Increase Passes: Try doing more passes at a slightly lower depth. It can help you get a clearer engraving.
- Incremental Depth: Gradually increase the depth with each pass to see if that helps.
Hope this helps! Good luck with your project!