I got the MC Etcher to try engraving small logos on plastic and acrylic. Then I thought these have protective film will that be a problem for the spring mechanism. Can it etch cleanly through the film or should it be removed?
I’ve always removed the covering:
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Thank you. I will try both ways.
I remove the cover. It makes seeing etch changes based on the spring pressure easier.
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thank you. I’ve always left it on because clear acrylic or black plastic show every little smudge and scuff. Guess I can wear gloves.
Lightly wipe acetone over smudges
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I use naphtha for cleaning them up with softest cotton cloth I can find. I know acetone or DN alcohol eats the plastics I use. I thought it would make clear acrylic look hazy not see through, no?
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Honestly I have not tested extensively to confirm.
I love the black acrylic and it shows warts easily.
I am going to try the naphtha
If it is just fingerprints (and grease smudges)I would try soap and water first.
Ivory dish detergent in flowing water (under a faucet) should get the fingerprints.
Organic solvents can craze some plastics.others may cause it to swell
John
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I generally use dawn, but that doesn’t remove some smudge. Black acrylic looks awesome, but it shows everything.
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Do not use acetone! It will destroy your project. Acrylic buffs nicely. Somebody might have already said this, but if you have film on your acrylic, you’ve probably got extruded acrylic. Try cast acrylic in the future. It etches so much nicer.
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I get cast acrylic with the gummy adhesive brown paper film on it which is sometimes hard to peel off.
The black plastic has a much thinner easy to remove clear plastic film.
Usually, the clear plastic film indicates that the plastic is extruded, which in my experience, does not cut well/easily.