Lee Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 Infilling using Gravoxide WARNING! Gravoxide is an irritant to eyes and skin, if you come into contact wash with water immediately. There has been some talk on the forum about fumes from enamelling brass engraved plates so I thought I’d show you the way I do it! It might be teaching some to suck eggs but some members new to engraving might find it interesting. Gravoxide works by quickly blackening engraving by oxidising the brass, do not leave the nice applicator in the bottle it will eat it! What you need 1 x bottle of Gravoxide or equivalent. 1 x cotton bud 1 x polishing stick 1 x duster The method Engrave you plate as normal, leave the protective layer on it and find a clean area to work! Using the cotton bud dip and apply the gravoxide to the engraved letters Allowing it to run into the work. Once finished pad down any residue with a tissue and remove the protective film. Next using the mop on your machine and polishing stick buff of the surface of your plate (will have gone black in places during application of the oxidiser) Clean of surface with a duster. This technique is very clean and quick, typically a couple of minutes for a small plaque. Lee This post has been promoted to an article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest samtheman Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 does this work on normal brass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted June 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 does this work on normal brass? Normal Brass??????? the Brass shown is standard 2mm brass. So I guess the answers yes? Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest samtheman Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 there are many different types of brass - material sorry i should have been more clear. great tutorial thanks for that i have never seen this before - we use normal cellulose paint to paintfill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest samtheman Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 any idea how much this is? and do you have to use an extracter on you polisher lee? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Annie Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 PRIMA!! BRAVO!! =D> Sucking eggs ....I can relate to that.. Lee thanks, a technique that I will try - apart from that fact that I might get high - looks like one of the more simpliest ways. Remeber I am still learning. missed you too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted June 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 any idea how much this is? Just phoned Gravograph and currently its £10.79 per 90ml bottle. It lasts for ages! and do you have to use an extracter on you polisher lee? My polishers the mop on my Whitfield 700! You can use a standard brass polish & a duster, its just quick using the machine. - apart from that fact that I might get high - Although Gravoxide is harmful and full of warnings its actually very low in smell you won’t get as high as using your infill paints and your customers won’t even know your using it. missed you too! I’m so in Love! Its worth adding this technique is ideal for small plaques but any larger letters will still be better suited to enamel. But as I don’t do many large signs 90% of what I do is in-filled this way. Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 This stuff is ok for a quick finish, but isn't a patch on a paint infill. You don't get a shiny lush finish as you do with paint. Its ok for single line fonts 3/5m. It's a good alternative to paint on your smaller plaques especially if its a rush order. but it isn't time to throw away your paint infill tools If your fussy on the finish. Nice one Lee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted June 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 This tutorial was in response mainly to pauls comment hi i'm hoping that someone might know of a infil paint for outdoor use signs that does not stink like enamel, but will give the same or very close results. as i have found that the fumes bring on my asthma HOWEVER! UK WROTE! And how could I not rise to the bait! This stuff is ok for a quick finish This stuff brilliant for a quick finish not just OK! but isn't a patch on a paint infill.Why isn’t it a patch on paint? Outside, which most signs are after a year or two your paint will have faded or flaked away & your plaque will be looking very sorry for itself, whilst this oxidising technique accelerates the natural process that discolours brass making the letters turn black with normal polishing (if the customer can be bothered) a sign blacked in this way will look as good in 10 years time as it does when it leaves the shop.You don't get a shiny lush finish as you do with paint.Its ok for single line fonts 3/5m. You may not get a shiny lush finish, my in-filled brass looks traditional and classic. It's a good alternative to paint on your smaller plaques especially if its a rush order. but it isn't time to throw away your paint infill tools If your fussy on the finish. There is always two ways to do any job, this is a credible alternative and one which may help members like Paul. I would like to mention at this point I have and will use planet uk900 for larger plaques that I can’t cope with his infilling and finish are superb! But this reply is to allow us all to sound out the arguments to decide for ourselves which techniques acceptable! Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest samtheman Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 LeeI would like to mention at this point I have and will use planet uk900 for larger plaques that I can’t cope with his infilling and finish are superb! i find it strange that your recommending another way of doing the job and using someone elses work for your customers jobs, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 Hey Lee, I wasn't rubbishing your post in any way and it is an alternative to smelly paint. But no way is it as good as paint infill, No way. When you polish a plaque thats had oxide used on it, you have nice deep cavities to fill with Peek, Brass or whatever your cleaning it with, then it really looks naff. Paint infill on the other hand fills the cavity, and it polish's up perfect every time. carry on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 LeeI would like to mention at this point I have and will use planet uk900 for larger plaques that I can’t cope with his infilling and finish are superb! i find it strange that your recommending another way of doing the job and using someone elses work for your customers jobs, Lee is just showing an alternative, for those who don't like the mess and smell of paint infill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted June 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 But no way is it as good as paint infill, No way. Yes way, YES WAY just as good! i find it strange that your recommending another way of doing the job and using someone elses work for your customers jobs, I do recommend this way! I use it all the time, it looks good and polishes well! (uk) However I have made no secret in the past that I hate cutting out brass! and unless the plaques on a pre-cut plate available from one of our sponsors I farm the job out, recently my supplier let me down & I have used UK on one occasion and can recommend his service, the fact he in-fills with enamel is a shame ( ) but he does make a good plaque apart from that! Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 What depth do you engrave Cheeky fella, when performing this under par job.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted June 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 What depth do you engrave Cheeky fella, when performing this under par job.. is he talking to me or is he really going mad and talking to him self??????? .8mm that leaves a healthy .79mm to fill with furniture polish or brasso over the years! Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 He He, We'll leave it there then old pal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblers Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 handbags at dawn my way's better than yours great advice from the pair of you there, i like cellulose but i'm gonna try that gravoxide on the small bench plaques we get asked for. what's the polishing stick you have in the pic lee? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 great advice from the pair of you there, i like cellulose but i'm gonna try that gravoxide on the small bench plaques we get asked for. Suprised you ain't tried superglue and black rubber dust Only Kiddin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted June 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 what's the polishing stick you have in the pic lee? F**k knows! I brought it when I was doing up my victor way back when! I got it from the local engineering suppliers. Its for a polishing mop, its quite soft you can stick your finger nail in it other than that I don't know what it is! Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 what's the polishing stick you have in the pic lee? F**k knows! Just fell off me chair its quite soft you can stick your finger nail in it So's dog shit uk900 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auto Key Wizard Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 What depth do you engrave.8mmLee 0.8mm is a tad deep I feel, try a shallower 0.35mm. Lee, Have you never tried using Gravograph's range of Door Plates, They are Lacquered & designed to be diamond engraved, then oxidized using the blacking fluid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted June 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2007 0.8mm is a tad deep I feel, try a shallower 0.35mm. Artistic licence I guess! I have always preferred a .8 depth to shallower one, I like that deep engraved look Lee, Have you never tried using Gravograph's range of Door Plates, No! may give them a look. Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted June 30, 2007 Report Share Posted June 30, 2007 Lee, Have you never tried using Gravograph's range of Door Plates, I use em, I get all the lacquer off and engrave em properly with black paint infill. Nothing looks worse than a brass plaque thats been lacquered, and the wheather gets at it. Very difficult to remedy after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted June 30, 2007 Report Share Posted June 30, 2007 Yep we do the gravo brass plates and also take off all the laquer. Good idea the "quickie" infill though will look into that one Lee. carry on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windycity Posted June 30, 2007 Report Share Posted June 30, 2007 Thanks lee i did not know you could use oxide on engravers brass, i use it on trophy alu., and jewlers brass. I.ll try that on monday looks like it could work for me. great tutorial as well also . i think that the suppliers will be selling alot more oxide because of your post lee. thanks chaps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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