Marking Aluminum question

[Neil Pabia]

I just tried to mark a piece of diamond plate aluminum and most of the mark wiped off with water and paper towels. I ran the job at 20 speed, 100 power, and 400dpi, I also ran it twice just to make sure it would work. Has anyone marked this stuff and am I just wasting my time trying this? This is a custom set of valve covers for a show car and luckily the customer provided at my request a scrap piece for testing.

[Dan Hintz]

I assume the plate is quite shiny? If so, there's a protective coating on it you have to laser through before Cermark will stick.

[Scott Shepherd]

Cut it down to about 5% speed and try it. Aluminum doesn't like to mark easily.

[Neil Pabia]

Thanks, I will try both of those tomorrow and see if it works.