What is the right material to use to fill a laser engraved or sandblasted plaque so the lettering is a different color, yet the surface of the plaque is smooth?
I've heard it described as epoxy resin, but don't know exactly what to ask for, where to get it, how to color it or how to use it.
Other than that, I'm all set.
Posted by John Arnott (Member # 215) on :
Paul, you can mix up clear epoxy then add 1 shot to color.
Posted by Paul Luszcz (Member # 4042) on :
John,
Is the clear epoxy "soft' enough to sand smooth or is it hard as a rock?
And where do you get it?
Does any know if Magic Sculpt will work?
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Go to a Corian dealer and ask them about the glue they use on Corian counter tops. It comes in a whole bunch of colors and is similar to the Corian material itself. Hard enough but yet sandable. I saw a counter top dealer that was using his cnc to cut letters in Corian and then filling them with the glue. After sanding you could not feel where the letters were.
If you try to pour in a liquid epoxy, surface tension is going to make the epoxy remain concave until you pour in enough to go over the top edge. Surface tension may hold the epoxy together in a convex shape, but epoxy dries so hard you might have a difficult time sanding it smooth.
Posted by Paul Luszcz (Member # 4042) on :
Thanks Dave, I'll try that tomorrow.
Posted by Doug Bernhardt (Member # 1568) on :
I go for the "add One shot" version. As long as it is well stirred it will work every time. It's worth noting that the surface will have to be sanded/flattened for it to look "right/clean" as Dave describes. Also what material are you bonding to?
Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
If you mist the surface with a little alchohol, there's an instant release of surface tension. The net effect is very high gloss and no traped bubbles.
Posted by Paul Luszcz (Member # 4042) on :
We tested a high build Matthews primer last night and it worked beautifully. Filled in the relief, sanded smooth, polished and done.
WE learned from DuPont that they make an acrylic resin for this purpose. It is so hard however, that you have to mill it smooth, it can't be sanded.
It's probably more durable so we'll try that when we have more time.
