From Burn Marks to Beautiful – How to Perfectly Finish Laser Cut Wood Tutorial
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Say Goodbye to Laser Cut Burn Marks! Here's the Best Techniques for Finishing Laser Cut Wood ✨
Ever wondered how to achieve that smooth, professional finish on laser-cut wood projects? Whether you're crafting for fun, gifts, or selling, the right finishing techniques make all the difference! Here are my best tips to help you create high-quality, polished laser-cut pieces that look amazing every time.
Mask Your Wood
This is the first step to create pretty laser cut wood creations without any burn marks.
Supplies Needed:
This is the masking tape I use for my wood projects! My boards are typically 12x19" to fit the laser beds of my Glowforge, xTool P2, and my soon-to-arrive Aeon Mira 5S Redline.
At 12" wide , this tape is easy to apply—just pull it to the length of the board, smooth it down, and trim to size. It makes prepping for laser cutting quick and hassle-free!
This roll has completely streamlined my masking process, making it quick and easy. I simply load the roll into the holder and feed it through the cutting bar.
To apply the masking, I press my wood board against the front metal feet, pull the masking over the board, and smooth it down with a squeegee.
While the holder has a built-in cutter, I prefer using a sharp box cutter for a cleaner cut, leaving a strip of masking ready to go for the next board. It’s a total game changer for efficiency!
Here's My Masking Set Up
Once the masking is in place, I use a squeegee (the blue tool in the photo on the right edge) to press it down smoothly, ensuring a bubble-free application. Then, I trim the excess.
Optional: Flip the piece over and apply masking to the other side if needed.
After you cut and engrave your laser projects you will need to remove the masking tape.
Gaffer Tape for Easy Masking Removal
This is the absolute quickest way to remove that stuck on masking tape.
Apply a strip of gaffer tape (or some people prefer Gorilla or Duct Tape) directly on top of the masking. Stick it down well. Then pull the masking and gaffer tape both up in one swoop.
Repeat until all of the original masking tape is removed.
Now your wood should be clean of any masking. Do you see loose wood fibers sticking up? What about stray burn marks?
Once your laser cut wood project is down to bare wood, you might notice stray wood fibers sticking up or areas that feel uneven. Even with masking, small burn marks can sneak through.
That’s where sanding blocks come in! I love using these because they’re comfortable to hold and just the right size for small projects like ornaments or laser cut earrings.
Simply use gentle, even strokes across the surface until your piece is smooth, clean, and ready for finishing!
Goodbye Sanding Dust - Use a Compressed Air Blower
Now your wood is nice and smooth. But there's fine wood dust everywhere. Notice how it gathers in your engravings and makes them turn light? Let's fix that.
Use a Compressed Air Blower equipped with a brush to really clean out those small engraved areas.
Sanding & Dusting Video: How I Smooth My Laser-Cut Wood Projects
Leave Your Wood Unfinished or End with a Shiny Top Coat Spray
If you prefer to leave your wood unfinished , congrats—your project is done! Some designs, like the Baby Milestone Discs in the video above, look perfect as-is with their natural wood beauty.
But when I want a shiny, long-lasting finish that enhances the wood grain, I use a spray top coat .
I simply place my project on a piece of cardboard outdoors on a nice day, then apply two light, even coats from about 18 inches away.
Let each coat dry fully before handling for a smooth, professional finish!
Try this laser cut earring file for FREE to perfect your wood finishing techique!
And check out these popular laser cut earring files
Let me know if you have any questions about laser cut projects!
I'd love to see what you make in my Facebook Group.
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