How to Select Colors, Laser Cut and Assemble a Multilayer Mandala

[@chatmps]

hi GL, great to have you back

[@GreylightMay]

Thanks, CHaTmPS, it feels good to be making videos again!

[@aminmuhammad-dbf]

Great video, very informative. 👍

[@GreylightMay]

Thank you! I'm glad it was helpful!!

[@invinciblemuffi]

Thanks for sharing your experience

[@GreylightMay]

Muffi, thanks for leaving a comment!

[@lafabritheque]

Great information as always !

[@GreylightMay]

Thank you, Alya, I appreciate it!

[@John-ms9tv]

Very nice work, I like your use of sheet adhesives. I stain my wood and apply a clear topcoat. Then I laser, the small amount of smoke residue is easily wiped off, right after lasering, with a damp paper towel. I find it easier than having to remove all the masking. I processed LOTS of paper through my laser, and never had a problem with igniting it. I do have an air assist on mine that helps, looks like yours has it also. However, I NEVER leave the laser running even for a second. Consequences are too serious.

[@GreylightMay]

Thanks, John! I'm definitely going to try your topcoat approach. It would be much easier than masking, for sure. Thanks for the tip!!

[@ktrazz]

Great job. I still have a roll of transfer paper I believe I got from attempting to follow your gold leaf project. I definitely moved away from using it since it pulled away so readily.

[@GreylightMay]

Sorry, Randolph, I too have many things in my shop that I tried and abandoned! I need to find an economical way to try different brands of masking tape, I can't to buy these huge rolls only to find out they don't work. Hopefully a viewer will reach out with a good recommendation, they often do.

[@cottagekeeper]

I wonder if you used a spray can of clear Lacquer and put on a couple coats sanding lightly in between each coat and then buffing the final coat if that will help the tape to remove better. Lacquer is a unique sealer it creates a slick surface. Loved your design it is so beautiful and I personally love the way the paint and wood peeled up from the tape ❤

[@GreylightMay]

Cottage Keeper, very excellent suggestion! I did plan on doing a final clearcoat on future pieces, as a way to seal the edges since they can't really be cleaned - too intricate - but I hadn't thought of doing it before as well. That would be even better than gloss paint, I think. I will definitely try this, thank you!

[@bbarnhouse9022]

Maybe use a hard roller for painting or touch-up after cutting. The type of roller used for wood block print making might work well.

[@GreylightMay]

Yes, barnhouse, you are right, a brayer is definitely the way to go for painting! In future projects, it would be the best way to touch it up. I will have to figure out how to remove the tackiness, first, so I definitely need to find a cleaner for that or a different masking product. I'm hoping a kind viewer can give me some leads on masking tape that has worked well for them!