Personalizer Plus electrolyte help!?!

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NickBoyle

Joined
Oct 9, 2015
Messages
205
Hey guy, I'm having problems with my etch. It always ends up "fuzzy" I've tried both bottles of electrolyte, more power, less power, and it still gets fuzzy. It cleans up with some flitz but I'm still thinking after marking the blade and removing the stencil it shouldn't look like a black fuzzy blob on my blades!! Anyone have any advice or suggestions on the settings, length of time and which bottle of etchant to use? High carbon steel is what I'm using and stencils from Ernie. Thanks!
 
I've found that I get fuzzy marks when I use too much electrolyte. Now I flood the marker and pat it down on a rag a few times. Also, using an old or dirty stencil will cause this.

I've never been able to get a good black mark on High carbon steel but do on SS but I do it long enough to go deep.
 
I haven't used a lot of electrolyte on my pad and my stencils are brand new. I still can't figure this damn thing out😡
 
Make sure your stencil is cut some bigger than your mark, Get your stencil as firm as you can to the steel and use scotch tape around all the edges. I usually only etch for about 30-45 seconds and get good marks on carbon and stainless steels. I use the blue etchant from pops knife supply on carbon and stainless.
 
Squirt some windex on the area and place your stencil on top. That can solve the fuzzies
 
I'm using the electrolyte that came with the etcher but there's two different kinds. I've tried both but still fuzzy. Craig are you etching for 30-45 seconds straight? I've been using electric tape to hold the stencils down. I do 5 second on etch then take the pad off then go again. Usually 10-15 times. Then to mark, for 5 second on and take it off, about 10 times.
Never thought about the stencil now being completely flat. Won't windex neutralize the etch if I spray it on before I make the mark?
Thanks again guys.
 
NickBoyle said:
Won't windex neutralize the etch if I spray it on before I make the mark?
Thanks again guys.
Click to expand...

Yes, around it so it decreases the fuzz but it will mark just fine.
 
I put my machine on mark for about 15 seconds and then switch to etch to blacken the mark, You can let it gas off if you want but I have never had a problem with holding it on for 30-45 seconds straight. Is your stencil flat without wrinkles in it? You want to make sure your pad does not contact any other parts of the blade because it will mark there also, Ask me how I know. I always clean my blade where the stencil will go before I etch it, I wash the blade real good with warm water and dish detergent and dry, apply the stencil and the etch turns out nice, Crisp and black. Make sure you wash the blade after applying your mark or it will rust carbon blades, Just repeat the water dish detergent.
 
What do you think very fine sandpaper/polishing paper is for? ;) i get the fuzzier because I am doing a very deep etch, then a mark cycle. Cleans right up.
 
That's what I've been doing after the etch. Just didn't know if it was suppose to be that way or if I was doing something wrong making it fuzzy.
 
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