Engraving/filling Electrical plates

[Jeff Chumbley]

I have a customer requesting nylon electrical plates be engraved and filled black. I only have a laser engraver.

Will the laser work on the nylon without melting?

How involved is the paint fill portion?

I appreciate any suggestions.

Jeff

[Clyde Baumwell]

Hi Jeff
It is easy to do. Firstly use a white or ivory switch plate that has a matte finish not a gloss finish. Cooper manufactures a good one - i got them at Lowes or HD. Engrave with a very low power setting-you can test this. The next part really works. Get one of those wipe off black markers (I use Expo brand) and cover the wall plate with the black marker. Then wipe off the black. I tried attaching a photo

[Dee Gallo]

Clyde, those are really neat! Doesn't the Expo marker come off when cleaning, like when you have a white board and spray with window cleaner to remove the ink?

~ dee

[Jeff Chumbley]

Those are very cool. Like Dee asked, do you seal them with anything to keep from washing out?

[Clyde Baumwell]

Dee---Cleaning???? What's that? But no it doesn't come off when cleaning-I don't spray the household cleaner on switchplates anyway and the ink stays in the groove when wiped. I use the same method with white tile.

[Dan Hintz]

No it doesn't come off when cleaning-I don't spray the household cleaner on switchplates anyway and the ink stays in the groove when wiped.

But others might... customers have a nasty habit of wanting remakes when they screw up a product. If the marker is affected by standard cleaning chemicals, expect return customers (and not the good kind).

I would clear coat if you plan to sell these made as described, Jeff...

[Dee Gallo]

I would just switch to a different paint, either acrylic or model paint for plastics. People DO clean switch plates, since they get a lot of finger dirt on them.... especially ones that look that cool, people will want to feel them.

[Nestor Fernandez]

Those look amazing!! Never thought of that. But, I agree with all the comments. I would think that one squirt of Windex will have a "runny make-up" look running down the wall if the plates aren't sealed. Not sure if this would work, but how about using a spray can after etching and then something like GOOF OFF to remove everything but the etched areas.

[Clyde Baumwell]

FYI yall...they have been on the wall for over 3 years and sprayed and cleaned many times. I originally used a sharpie successfully.

But hey Dan you can overthink this or make it as complicated as you want.

[dave hensley]

Could you just mask these and then use any paint/marker you wanted?

[Dan Hintz]

FYI yall...they have been on the wall for over 3 years and sprayed and cleaned many times. I originally used a sharpie successfully.

But hey Dan you can overthink this or make it as complicated as you want.

I don't believe I'm overthinking it, I'm considering the potential result of a very common activity by customers. You may not use chemicals during your cleaning activities, but I doubt that's true for many, so I didn't want Jeff heading down a path that might have customers returning his work for a refund without mentioning more tests or precautions might be needed.

What if the client is an architect working on a hospital? Hospitals demand permanence in the markings on their outlet plates, and considering some of the chemicals they use there, I would be leery using a marker designed to be removed with a tissue without further testing.

[Chuck Stone]

rest.jpg
just tested the nylon using my avatar from another forum.
Works great!
Lowe's has 10 packs for $1.98

[Dan Hintz]

Chuck, did you test the Expo markers against typical cleaning chemicals? How did it hold up?

[Conrad Fiore]

To fill our mechanically engraved switch plates in any material, we use a wipe-in filler by PPG/Keeler and Long. We have used this material for over 50 years and there is nothing better on the planet. It will meet any spec. military or otherwise for resistance to water, steam, solvents or anything else you can throw at it. Only downside is, it's $175.00 a quart.

[Chuck Stone]

no, just the Laserbits color fill.