Borax treatment and stabilisation after engraving ?

[Ignas Kaz]

So, everyone and their grandma's dog is doing borax engravings. What i dont see much of is options to stabilise engravings post engrave.

I did some tests, colour is impressive, but very smeary and unstable.
Engraved some wood in solid graphics, applied painters tape to lift residue, worked fairly well, but remained very smeary.
Today did some photo engraving tests with intention of spray lacquering it straight away, just to get bubbles on the wood (drying now).
This got me thinking - what kind of interaction may there be in regards of chemistry ? borax+acetone(or solvents in spray lacquers, poly in my case), borax+polyurethane and such...

Anyone did any tests for chemical compatibility?

Using birch and borax solution, running fast and low power (80w co2 tube, 12% power/400mmps speed)...

[Ian Bell]

I have only just dipped my toe into using Borax and a limited endeavour into engraving photos.

I've achieved some level of success today, and did find the borax made quite a difference to the darkness, along with using minimal power and fast traverse 900mm/s. Trying to get the photo to a suitable standard for engraving for me still requires a substantial level of play/practice.

I use a borax substitue Sodium Sesquicarbonate, apparently a non hazardous version, and I brush coat using a 10:1 ratio and leave until thoroughly dry before using on the laser

I use minimal air flow when engraving, and then use an air line to blow off any residual soot. I haven't yet sprayed any lacquer on, so will have to wait and see, but I also wonder if the borax has any detrimental effect on the wood perhaps over time.