In a message dated 11/27/2006 5:34:09 A.M. Central Standard Time,
lez.briddon@... writes:
Do some other pens work better?
I have READ that German-made Städtler red works good as lacquer paint, but I
have NOT been able to find those locally.
Sharpie black is all I have tried, and IF the copper has been CLEANED with
lacquer-thinner and dried with paper-towels, and NEVER touched, that will
"sorta work". But the Sharpie ink was never intended as "etch resist" so it is
only "by accident" that it works at all. I suspect phases of the moon have to
be JUST right for it to do at all. I have NO idea how the TEMPERATURE of
the etchant affects the "life" of the Sharpie ink on the copper, but I think
SPEED in handling and clearly GREATER than usual care is necessary for ANYthing
good to happen with that! The etch-resist pens Radium Scat sold had a
"thicker paint" but I haven't seen those in some time, now. No clue if they quit
making those. But they didn't have much shelf-life at all!
Surely there is a reader of this group who has money to invest who can open
a little "PCB-Resist-Pen" factory and sell us EXCELLENT resist-pens that will
last for WEEKS, even if occasionally left OPEN overnight, for 69¢ each!
Wot? Jan Rowland
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