How to Fix an Engraving

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Things You'll Need

  • Degreasing cleaner

  • Soft cloths

  • Clear casting resin

  • Fine grit sandpaper

  • Grease pencil

  • Electric engraving tool

  • Wood putty

  • Epoxy putty

  • Engraving stencils (optional)

You can fix engravings on a variety of surfaces.

Engraving mistakes can be an eyesore. It is especially important to fix misspelled words or names. Fixing engravings is easiest for wood, plastic and glass surfaces. Metal surfaces are difficult to remove, but you can add additional engraving to metal to disguise an error. Follow the first set of instructions to fix an engraving on a clear surface, such as glass or plastic, and the second instructions to fix an engraving on a colored surface, such as metal or wood.

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Clear Surface

Step 1

Inspect the damage. Note the problem. If the engraving is misspelled, you will probably have to erase it entirely. If there is a smaller mistake, you can fix it by engraving over it, adding to the design or erasing a small part of the design.

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Step 2

Clean the area with a degreasing cleaner and a soft cloth. Allow the surface to dry.

Step 3

Fill in any areas that you want to cover with clear casting resin. Fill the grooves slightly higher than the level of the base surface. Allow the resin to dry for 24 hours.

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Step 4

Sand the resin down to the base surface with fine-grit sandpaper.

Step 5

Outline a new design over the original design with a grease pencil.

Step 6

Engrave the new design using an electric engraver. Work in a brightly lit area. Wipe away any dust with a soft cloth.

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Colored Surface

Step 1

Follow steps 1 and 2 outlined earlier. In addition, check the base surface. It is nearly impossible to fill metal again, but you can fill other surface, such as wood.

Step 2

Fill in mistakes in wood with wood putty. Use an epoxy putty that matches the color of the base surface for other surfaces. Fill stone engravings with cement. Allow the putty to dry 24 hours. Sand the putty with fine grit sandpaper.

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Step 3

Draw the new desired design onto the surface with a grease pencil. You can also place a paper stencil of the desired design onto the surface with tape.

Step 4

Draw over the design with the engraving tool to etch the new design or to add to the original design. Wipe away the dust when finished.

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