Laser engraving melamine coated MDF

[Roger Lueck]

Does anyone have good method to remove the smoke residue adjacent to the laser engraved area on melamine coated MDF?

I've done tests with DNA, lacquer thinner and acetone. All of them eventually remove the residue, but would like to find something that will "breakdown" the smoke residue without a lot of physical effort and without damaging the MDF or melamine.

Thank You,
Roger

[Mike Chance in Iowa]

I haven't worked with the coated MDF yet. Have you tried a melamine/magic eraser? Or Krud Kutter?

[Kev Williams]

Transfer tape may be your friend here. What I use is TransferRite Ultra 582U medium tack. While I don't use it for engraving much, I DO use it when cutting engraving plastics, 1/8 in particular. It keeps the cut edges from burning and/or mushrooming. Why I like this particular tape is because just dampening it with a wet rag or whatever immediately causes the adhesive to loosen up. With melamine, using the clean cut edge of some Rowmark plastic as a squeegee will peel any remaining tape off easily once it's dampened.

[Mike Null]

I would reduce the power and take multiple passes when engraving.