On 01 Jan 2014 22:52:45 -0800, you wrote:
>Hi everyone,
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> I've been using the toner-transfer method with vinyl for some time now, but I'm consistently running into a pitting issue across all of my boards.
> On large polygons/planes, and even on fine traces, pits and weathering appear on the surface of the copper. I've added an image in a link below:
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> https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4daAsGd6n41aGRRY3QyeVlaS28/edit?usp=sharing
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> Where the image appears clean, I covered that surface with a sharpie in addition to the toner.
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> My printer is a Samsung ML-2525. 1200 DPI. (Toner set to transparency and max darkness setting.)
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> Vinyl is from a local sign retailer.
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> Currently, I'm not sure if the pitting is from insufficient toner, or from the vinyl, although the vinyl pretty-much always comes out perfectly clean from the transfer.
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> I picked up some laser foil to try to recoat the board, though I only used it once as I watched it immediately flake off when the pcb entered the etchant bath.
If it's the green TRF from pulsar, then run it through twice on the
highest setting. The pigment should transfer completely, leaving the
foil carrier completely clear where the pigment has been transferred.
After that you can use the sharpie.
You have (perhaps) insufficient toner, but the usual pits from the
transfer.
If you used a metallic foil from a craft shop, no idea of how well
that'll work under etchant. The green stuff stands up to ferric
chloride, peroxide/HCL, and persulfates.
Harvey
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> Etchant is cupric chloride.
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> Thanks for any advice!