Laser Engraving On Sheet Metal [well... kind of]

How to use your laser engraver to mark metal and get your designs to pop with this simple technique.
I don't need to tell you that standard laser engravers, like my 5w diode, can't engrave or etch metal. But, here I'm going to show you a technique that does not need to etch or engrave the metal but rather
remove a base layer of paint to reveal the metallic design through it.
This process can be done with all metals and any type of paint and colour. Just find yourself
a nice design with lots of detail packed inside and run your laser.
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[@louvp57]

Very nice, something else to add to my list of things to create, thanks for the video

[@MARCAM]

I highly recommend it! I’ve had so much interest in these from friends it’s unreal!

[@53chute]

Yup - you have the Force 👍

[@runifuceeme406]

SPRAY LACQUER ON IT TO PROTECT IT MORE..

[@GaryMcKinnonUFO]

Nice one, i've seen others use primer on steel and no need for the roughing up stage.

[@MARCAM]

Now that’s a good idea!! I’ll have to try that next time 👍🏻

[@LakeVintageElectronics_M0LVE]

Excellent work! What kind of paint did you use?

[@MARCAM]

Thank you! And would just be acrylic paint 👍🏻

[@robmurg]

Brilliant project, I must give that a try! At 10:38 you say the engraver has removed all the white paint, did you mean to say black paint or is there a layer of white paint under the black?

[@MARCAM]

I meant to say black 😅 There’s just one thin layer of black paint on the metal.

[@The_Redeemer28]

Where sure you find the image for the Falcon?

[@MARCAM]

Just on google images

[@calimero2771]

Is they any laser that can do in on a 2000mmx 3000mm metal sheet?

[@MARCAM]

You can buy extension kits for diode lasers that allow you to do it like it was done in this video.

[@shaneschuller2513]

So any black acrylic paint will do the trick? I have CO2 laser and wouod like to trst this

[@MARCAM]

Should work fine. Think any paint will work tbh as the laser is just removing it 👍🏻

[@shaneschuller2513]

@@MARCAM Ah okay, I was hoping to have the design etched and remove the background.

[@ryanw501]

Why did u not use your other laser?

[@shaneschuller2513]

@@ryanw501 my desktop laser is 3.5w and does not engrave metal. Tried different techniques but no luck

[@MARCAM]

This was to show something amazing that can be made with a super cheap diode laser as more people tend to have diode instead of cO2. But, it also has a bigger work area so I was able to make this piece bigger than what my cO2 could do@@ryanw501

[@sun_of_a_gun]

Nice job! I am struggling to do the same with my 5.5W diode laser. I painted a piece of aluminium in black, but the laser would not remove it. It only makes the pattern, but a layer of paint still seems to be present. I painted only once, so as thin as I can. I run it 100% power and even very slowly (100mm/min) and still the same.. Any advice?

[@MARCAM]

What paint are you using? I just used acrylic for this project. Just make sure you spray a clear coat afterwards as it’s not a permanent paint 👍🏻

[@sun_of_a_gun]

@@MARCAM I initially used some high quality paint, perhaps not acrylic. But now I tried specifically an acrylic one and the effect is the same.. Don't know why..

[@MARCAM]

@sun_of_a_gun that’s strange! A 5w diode should blitz through acrylic paint. Only advice I can give is to make sure the laser is in focus, your power is high and speed is medium to low. I’ll have to have another look next time I’m in my workshop at it

[@sun_of_a_gun]

@@MARCAM the problem was the focus! Thanks for staying with me ;)

[@MARCAM]

@sun_of_a_gun awesome! Glad you got it sorted :)

[@antoniogarcia6756]

What type of air brush?

[@MARCAM]

It’s just one of them super cheap ones that has the paint well in a small glass jar that screws onto the bottom. I just hook that up to my air compressor and works a treat 👍🏻

[@antoniogarcia6756]

@@MARCAM also what type of paint did you spray on the sheet metal? Thanks for the help

[@MARCAM]

@antoniogarcia6756 I think it was acrylic I used for this video. A nice even, thin coat the laser can just burn away

[@jppalm3944]

Imagine what can do with 10 watts😅

[@MARCAM]

I have a 40w co2 and access to an 80w co2. Definitely have more fun with this one though 😅

[@dieselwheasel973]

Just tried this on some stainless and had to abort the project as it warped the metal badly.

[@MARCAM]

Really? That’s strange. Maybe you were running the laser too high? Could of been heating the metal up. Was the metal hot to the touch when done?

[@PhilippeLhoste]

I can engrave small business card in aluminum with my 10 W laser, but I have to fasten it to a support with masking tape, to prevent this warping. Actually, I found out that the part with masking tape engrave better than with black paint, so I am trying this (cover all metal) right now!