we´re struggling to find the best solution for engraving acrylics.
The problem:
When engraving acrylic plates, there is so much steam/dust/rub off - we have to polish each plate for ages to receive a crystal clear result.
I saw a lot of videos, where people don´t remove the foil to prevent exactly this problem, but with this method, there are a lot of designs where it´s a pain to remove the engraved foil.
What we´ve tryed: Without foil onto the acrylics:
Using water /w soap
Using a polish machine with polish paste
With foil onto the acrylics:
Try to grap the foil with a duct tape
Put the acyrlic plate into an oven (to heat up the foil)
2.1 Try to grap the foil with heat resitant tape
Try to use water w/ soap
Every solution “with foil” sadly dosn´t work, the solution without foil works out but takes ages. What is your solution for a time effective result when you are working with engraved acylics?
try coating it with a thin coat of dawn dish soap and let that dry. it might stick well enough to act as an intermediate film that is easily washable. Let us know how it works for you, I’ve read its hit or miss.
When I engrave acrylic I remove the foil and put transfer tape over it (normally used for vinyl cutter) and then engrave. You could also use painters tape but this is not so wide. This prevent the dust on the works and is then easy to remove after engraving.
When I clean a acrylic plate with pure alcohol I get cracks in my work so personally I would not use that.
Other tips I found by web investigation: 1. Hair Spray
Removing the film, put on hair spray, let it dry for around 10 minuntes to create a protecting film that´s easy washable.
2. Novus Plastic Polish Products
They have 2 pastes to remove scratches and a cleaning one for the finish
3. kerosene
Used for oil lamps, but it should also clean acrylics greatly
Oh also, one more tip: lower your air PSI to about 5 if you have such control. I have a very good lower pressure regulator on my laser just for this reason, for acrylic engraving and cutting. But absolutely, I know your struggle and goo gone is the ticket.
Thats absolutely true, If Not engraving to deep its was easier to Clean. Sadly we have six 80watts Lasers and all are a Bit different with a Lot of different Designs to engrave, each laser has different settings… its a little pain.
I bought new lenses and mirrors for all of them to try to get same settings.
But thanks for your reply, engraving Not to deep is definatly a good try.
@Stroonzo
Thanks a Lot also. Bought the goo, I’ll give you a Report
You are absolutely correct that engraving acrylic without air assist is the ultimate solution. However, not using air assist has always ended up fouling my lens and caking acrylic on the cone. For these reasons, I discovered the goo gone method along with the as low of a PSI (sometimes I turn my regulator to 1 or 2 PSI) only to keep positive pressure in the cone to prevent vaporized acrylic from contaminating the lens.
Looks like Amazon in the UK sells Goo Gone. There are also a lot of hits for do-it-yourself Goo Gone, though not many of them may be trustworthy. Search for an SDS for Goo Gone and that should give you a general idea of what’s in it.
I have read in other forums about a transfer tape that incorporates a water soluble adhesive. You take off the acrylic’s factory protective layer and then apply the sticky transfer tape. Then laser. Then place the etched acrylic in a warm tray of water until the transfer tape starts falling off the acrylic. You do not want to rub it off because there may be some acrylic etching dust that became embedded in the tape during etching. I don’t remember the brand name but you could make email enquiries to the major transfer tape manufacturers to find it.
It’s citrus oil based cleaner / degreaser. It works ok. I was in a situation last night that I applied this technique. However, the best method for one-off items you’re not mass producing is transfer tape, proper speed, proper power, and just the right amount of air assist. When masking acrylic, sometimes it is helpful to make a fast first pass to remove the tape and then a normal pass for engraving.
I think I’ve the same problem, can’t get a white engrave in trolase.
The left one with Casper on it, is done by someone else.
And you can see what my first results are. It just doesn’t get white.
Like the right label, how can I get this white? Someone have an idea?
