I'm trying to laser some black painted brass (black over brass) that I bought from JDS and which they claim is laserable. I'm using a 35 watt ULS and I'm lasering vector clip art. I've experimented with the settings and the optimum seems to be 33 power at 100 speed using 500 ppi.
After I have finished lasering, there is a residue that I have to wipe off. But even then, the brass is dull looking instead of a rich, shiny look. In fact, if I scratch the brass, I get the shiny look that I want -- but I just can't seem to laser down to it. Is there a solvent that I should be using to clean the painted brass with after lasering? Or do I need to experiment with the laser settings some more? I have tried multiple passes and that doesn't seem to work either.
I don't have a rotary or any other type of mechanical engraver so I really need to figure out how to do it with the laser. Or is this the impossible dream?
Oh yeah, there are diaginal bands running from the lower left to the upper right. This is the least of my problems at the moment, but maybe that will give somebody a clue as to what is going on.
Thanks for the help,
Bill |