Vectric Customer

I have the Axiom 4.2 watt laser (made by J-Tech). I can't change power on-the-fly, so I'm pretty much locked in to single power etching.

Every once in a while I play around with lasering different materials. I had been planning on test lasering a painted tile. Then I came across this video the other day. Zinc coating for diode laser "etching" glass & tile. Water clean up. High contrast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR9CDz8 ... WL&index=9 He touts using a Cold Galvanizing spray paint prior to lasering. Cheap enough to buy a can.

Here's what I got:

The single coat with lasering when dry to touch came out best. But, not anywhere near as dark as the video.

I like lasering on the brown painted ceramic to reveal white. Any ideas for clear top coat? I'd like to use them for trivets, but I'd like them to hold up reasonably well.

This was my first try. I lasered the brown paint, then sprayed with a clear coat. INCOMPATABLE. The brown paint dissolved. When I wiped off the brown, it filled the etch. I guess the laser did etch the glaze. Anyway, the fill looks pretty good.

Nice work Gerry, hoping to get my laser setup one day

I use a water-borne poly recommended for floors. I use a Critter spray gun to apply it. Two coats seems enough. Friends and family have been using them as coasters and they still look fine.

wilkigr wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 28, 2021 12:46 pm

I use a water-borne poly recommended for floors. I use a Critter spray gun to apply it. Two coats seems enough. Friends and family have been using them as coasters and they still look fine.

Thanks, I'll look around.

That's nifty! Thanks for sharing. Got a can coming my way...
Tim

Tabletop epoxy pour might look good and needs only a single coat.

Nice work Gerry. Have you tried etching slate yet? I am experimenting now.

gkas wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 28, 2021 4:20 am

... He touts using a Cold Galvanizing spray paint prior to lasering. Cheap enough to buy a can.

All you need is Rustoleum paint. Most of their sprays have "Titanium Dioxide" in them. It must make the white whiter, because the white seems to produce a darker leftover etch.

You can feel this etch on the tile. It is not the same as some are doing with grayscale images, though. It is good for lineart images.

A single coat is sufficient and wait 20 minutes for drying to touch. Use mineral spirits and acetone to clean the tile back to its shiny surface.

Quick and easy.

I'll have to dig out some of the tiles and try agian. It got put on as back burner to complete other projects.

tnx

Gerry