# Prep layer on 316 brushed stainless steel for photo engraving **URL:** \ **Category:** Community Laser Talk\ **Tags:** stainless-steel\ **Created:** [August 30, 2024, 6:49am UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/prep-layer-on-316-brushed-stainless-steel-for-photo-engraving/148473 "2024-08-30T06:49:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CraftyHobo](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@CraftyHobo](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/CraftyHobo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 6:49am UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/prep-layer-on-316-brushed-stainless-steel-for-photo-engraving/148473/1 "2024-08-30T06:49:13Z")
Hey team, I’ve got a 60W JPT MOPA with a 300mm lens, and a fantastic black marking setting with a wide viewing angle for my machine. My trouble is in preparing the surface of my brushed 316 steel for the engraving. The best cleanup pass that I’ve got at the moment leaves visible striations on the material (see pic). I’ve tried polishing over the top of this before photo engraving, but that results in a very dark engrave with a low viewing angle. ![Screenshot 2024-08-30 164319](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/uploads/default/original/3X/2/b/2bac6ecbdeb989909a7d947d6aa15fe6e4164ce0.png) My current prep layer is: 3500 mm/s 65% power 65 KHz 200ns Q pulse 0.025mm Interval Cross-hatch and bidirectional No air assist My photos are prepped in ImagR at 1270 DPI (0.02mm Interval). Would appreciate if someone can point me in the right direction for parameters to test around. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![Pete.IRL](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/ea666f/32.png) [@Pete.IRL](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Pete.IRL)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 10:39am UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/prep-layer-on-316-brushed-stainless-steel-for-photo-engraving/148473/2 "2024-08-31T10:39:02Z")
Hi J May I ask. what is a cleanup pass? ---
**Author:** ![ednisley](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/user_avatar/forum.lightburnsoftware.com/ednisley/32/40455_2.png) [@ednisley](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/ednisley)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 11:34am UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/prep-layer-on-316-brushed-stainless-steel-for-photo-engraving/148473/3 "2024-08-31T11:34:56Z")
> [@Pete.IRL](#): > > what is a cleanup pass It’s applicable only to galvo lasers: > **[3D Sliced Engravings - LightBurn Documentation](https://docs.lightburnsoftware.com/galvo/3DSlice.html#cleanup-passes)** > > Better software for laser cutters. ---
**Author:** ![Pete.IRL](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/ea666f/32.png) [@Pete.IRL](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Pete.IRL)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 1:41pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/prep-layer-on-316-brushed-stainless-steel-for-photo-engraving/148473/4 "2024-08-31T13:41:13Z")
Cleanup passes are typically run with a tighter Line Interval, higher Frequency, and lower Max Power than the main engraving passes, and are used to clear debris and produce a better finish. Good to know & thanks for the link. May I ask ednisley, seeing that Im a few weeks in the forum and becoming acquainted with the more common issues in Q&A, would it be beneficial to start studying the Doc’s. ---
**Author:** ![ednisley](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/user_avatar/forum.lightburnsoftware.com/ednisley/32/40455_2.png) [@ednisley](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/ednisley)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/prep-layer-on-316-brushed-stainless-steel-for-photo-engraving/148473/5 "2024-08-31T15:59:38Z")
> [@Pete.IRL](#): > > would it be beneficial to start studying the Doc’s. The doc not only has details on how the program works, but will introduce you to the vocabulary required to understand what’s going on: > **[Home](https://docs.lightburnsoftware.com/index.html)** > > Better software for laser cutters. Read through the Simple Project to see how it all fits together: > **[Your First Project - LightBurn Documentation](https://docs.lightburnsoftware.com/SimpleProject.html#making-a-simple-project)** > > Better software for laser cutters. If you learn-by-watching, there’s a Youtube channel: > **[LightBurn Software](https://www.youtube.com/@lightburnsoftware7189)** > > Creators of LightBurn - user friendly layout and control software for laser cutters and engravers. > > http://LightBurnSoftware.com Reading the forum discussions will let you learn from others and probably help you avoid some common pitfalls. The local makerspace had a T-shirt: “Your enjoyment of what you’re doing will be enhanced by knowing what you’re doing.” 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Pete.IRL](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/ea666f/32.png) [@Pete.IRL](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Pete.IRL)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/prep-layer-on-316-brushed-stainless-steel-for-photo-engraving/148473/6 "2024-08-31T17:12:31Z")
Thats funny! Big thanks for the links…I’ll get right on it.