Trying To Enhance Laser Engraving

[Fred_P]

I've been experimenting with paint-filling laser engraving to make it stand out from the stainless surface of a barrel, but unfortunately I haven't had much success. The engraving is light and faded -- far from the fresh crisp lettering found on a relatively new gun.

It seems that paint-filling or wax-filling (hot crayon method) works pretty easily on machine engraved or stamped lettering, but the exceptionally shallow laser engraving won't hold the "filler". I've even tried some surplus military dial fill paint that is designed to fill the numbers and index marks on radio knobs.

My next thought is to try blue tool maker's layout fluid, then try to polish the high surfaces without dragging the fluid back out of the engraved areas. The fluid (I think) could be thin enough to work -- perhaps even adhering well in the rougher surface of the lasered areas.

Finally, with no better solution, I think that carbon-black (soot from a candle) could be rubbed in and might leave enough particles to darken the engraving.

Has anyone had success with this? I'd hate to have to send it back to S&W to get the caliber re-lasered onto the barrel (if they'd even do it).

Fred

 

[il Padrino]

Have you tried a permanent "Sharpie" marker? Try running it across the lettering and then wipe the access off.

 

[dfariswheel]

You could also try the capillary fill method.

Get whatever color of model paint you like and thin it with paint thinner to a fairly thin state.
Use a fine artist's brush dipped in the thinned paint.
Touch the tip of the brush to the marks and capillary action will pull the paint off the brush and will fill the markings.

With practice you can figure out just how thin the paint needs to be and how much to load the brush with.
Allow the paint to dry thoroughly and it will last fairly well.

 

[saemetric]

I've used Birchwood Casey Permanent black marker pen with good results. After a minute use a stiff business card to scrape away the excess. Scape 90 degrees to the bbl length so card won't dig into the etching.