How to stain or poly laser work?

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JoniEl
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How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by JoniEl »

If you've used the Vectric Laser tool you've likely run into the charcoal-type burn of the dark lines made by lasers on wood. The lines smudge easily on the workpiece and on your finger.

But the big issue for me is the delicacy and skill required when trying to stain or urethane after lasering. Brush smudges can be immediate and ruining.

Any finishers here who have developed a procedure for keeping the finish clean?

Putting the liquid on first before lasering comes to mind, but...
1. How does the laser interact with dry stain or poly? Fire danger?
2. The procedure (which only applies to text mainly) still requires protecting the added lasered parts,

Jan.vanderlinden
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Re: How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by Jan.vanderlinden »

I first blow it off with my air blast, then I use polycrylic and spray it on.
“I've learned so much from my mistakes, I'm thinking of making a few more”

LittleGreyMan
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Re: How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by LittleGreyMan »

Do you have an air assist on your laser head? It's very important to limit these phenomenons and avoid lens pollution by smoke.

Do not use any product on the wood before cutting or engraving it with a laser: there is a risk of fire and hazardous gaz emission. Unless there are specific products for this use, but I'm not aware of them.

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Leo
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Re: How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by Leo »

I use a mask sometimes.
There are masks designed just for laser.

On baltic birch I often times paint the top surface, then apply a mask before I engrave and cut thru. After I peel off the mask the top face is nice and clean.

I have laser engraved painted surfaces lots of times - no problem
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wilkigr
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Re: How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by wilkigr »

I use the mask sold by Trotec lasers. It is specifically made for laser use. All the smoke stays on the mask. You can find a few youtube videos that Trotec has uploaded. To get the small pieces of mask off, press duct tape onto it. When you lift the duct tape, the mask comes off easily and cleanly.

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FabLab Wageningen
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Re: How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by FabLab Wageningen »

Our default mask for smaller surfaces: masking tape or painters tape. Cheap enough to experiment with. As long as you don't go for ducttape you're fine.

Marcel.

GeneMpls
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Re: How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by GeneMpls »

The char on the cut edge can be brushed off with a stiff brush.

LittleGreyMan
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Re: How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by LittleGreyMan »

Leo, wilkigr and Marcel, thanks for the informations about compatible masks.

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martin54
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Re: How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by martin54 »

Do not use any product on the wood before cutting or engraving it with a laser: there is a risk of fire and hazardous gaz emission. Unless there are specific products for this use, but I'm not aware of them.

This isn't an area that I know anything about so I am asking this as a question as much as anything else, my laser is still sitting in a draw waiting for me to get round to fitting it :oops: :oops:

I can see how oil or spirit-based stains may be a problem & cause potential risks but what about aqueous or water-based stains? I wouldn't have thought they would be a risk in the same way BUT as I said I don't know enough to be able to say they would not be a potential problem :lol: :lol:

Of course they may give you other problems like raising the grain :lol:

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Leo
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Re: How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by Leo »

I am pretty sure I lasered over oil based poly before. I will need to try it again. I don't think oil based stain - once it dried will be an issue.

I think most CNC Router laser upgrades are in the 7 watt range.

I use a 100 watt laser.

I have done thousands of 3mm painted items with no issue at all.
I have also lasered as many with just engraving

I will do a test on oil based stain and oil based poly in the next couple of days
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LittleGreyMan
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Re: How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by LittleGreyMan »

Leo wrote:
Sat Dec 10, 2022 4:00 pm
I use a 100 watt laser.
In this case I'm pretty sure you're using a smoke extractor. So burning a small amount of poly or stain is not an issue as gases are extracted outdoor from a closed enveloppe. I don't care on my 20W CO2 unit.

In the case of a small LED laser mounted on a hobbyist CNC, I'd bet there is no extractor and no closed enveloppe.

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FabLab Wageningen
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Re: How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by FabLab Wageningen »

As Leo, we operate a 100W CO2 laser. Disclaimer: it is fully enclosed with forced industrial ventilation.

We have no issues lasering oiled / stained wood. And masking tape seriously works hiding char spots.

But Didier is right: in home and hobby environments one should be much more carefull.
Knowing your materials always pays. Our motto: if you don't know it, you don't laser it.


Marcel.

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Leo
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Re: How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by Leo »

Yes - vented outside

I was not thinking of a non-vented situation.

In that case I would agree - not to laser those things and several others.
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Aussie
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Re: How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by Aussie »

I use both the mask from Trotec and is available from Rowmark as well.
Another mask I use is Blazer Orange from Iconics for glass work etc
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Leo
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Re: How to stain or poly laser work?

Post by Leo »

https://www.google.com/search?q=co2+las ... e&ie=UTF-8

Lots of sources out there

I source a lot of stuff at JJP
Imagine the Possibilities of a Creative mind, combined with the functionality of CNC

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