CerMark Alternatives You Should Know About

Engraving lubricants are a different department. You have to pick the right one to print the marks properly. CerMark is the most popular option for this, but they’re insanely pricey.

Fortunately, there are multiple alternatives. DIY moly spray, plaster solution, dry moly, kapton tape, and mustard are the common ones.

Casual engraver or professional, everyone can use a budget alternative for a staple like CerMark. People are switching to different options because of CerMark’s formula change, but what would be a good alternative?

Here’s a list to help you out.

Top Alternatives To CerMark

Let’s face it, CerMark is the OG. It marks dark and is very easy to work with. You’ll find lots of alternatives, but don’t expect them to produce the exact same result.

That being said, there are lots of alternatives for CerMark. DIY moly spray, plaster solution, dry moly, kapton tape, mustard- it keeps going.

Keep in mind that these processes (especially the DIY ones) work with chemicals. Make sure to take enough caution and don’t hesitate to abort the mission if things feel wrong.

Now then, let’s see a detailed breakdown of the CerMark alternatives.

• DIY Moly Spray

This is one of the easiest and most common substitutes for CerMark.

You’ll just have to get some molybdenum powder, some dishwashing soap, and a paintbrush.

The marks look pretty good with it and the clean up is way better.

The best part is, of course, the convenience.

This DIY moly spray is a complete home remedy minus the molybdenum powder.

What it does is utilize the adhesiveness of Molybdenum Disulfide to get the job done. The soap is a good thinner so it works out.

The first thing you’ll have to get is Molybdenum Disulfide. You can look for this in your nearest chemical stores.

But if you don’t want the hassle, you can find them online for pretty cheap prices. Buying in bulk will also save you some bucks. Once you have the powder, get your dishwasher soap and prepare to roll.

Start with a small amount of moly powder. Slowly add dishwasher soap to it and mix up a solution. The mix should have a paint-like consistency, that’s when you’ll know it is done. And now you’re all ready for work.

This is a really easy mix to make and it works for multiple reasons. The molybdenum will give you the adhesiveness of the original CerMark.

The dishwashing soap is the actual hero though, it makes the mix thinner and more fluid, and it washes away very easily. A good run under the sink tap and you’ll wash off most of the residue.

You can also use molybdenum dioxide, another popular molybdenum variant for laser engraving. Or you can switch it up with molybdenum trioxide, the original ingredient of CerMark.

You’ll have to work around them a little and find out what works best for you.

This will give you the darkest marks of all the options on this list. So if you had any doubts, shake them off and give this one a try. There’s only one problem though, storing.

You’ll have to make the perfect amount of this mix every time because there are debates about how you should store this mix.

Plus no one knows if leaving this out in the open will have any effect on it. The measurement part is a pretty big hassle, but otherwise, it is very much worth it.

• Plaster Solution

Another genius DIY solution from local engravers. This one is also made of two ingredients only and you can easily find them in your local stores.

Cleaning it up can be a little hard but the marking looks pretty good. That makes this one a good alternative.

This has to be the second most popular substitute for CerMark. It came from someone playing around with the elements of the CerMark, but the original formula didn’t include any plaster.

The current solution is a watered-down, easy-to-access version of the original one. Nonetheless, it works just fine.

All you’ll need for this alternative is plaster of Paris and DNA (Denatured Alcohol). Start with a small amount of both and work your way up. The mix should look like ketchup. Once you have that consistency, you’re done.

There is no fixed ratio for this so you’ll have to experiment your way through it. For work, you’ll have to apply a coat of it on your metal plate and let it dry. Run the laser machine over the dried coat and you’re good.

The only problem with this one is the cleanup. That will take some time, and some of the residues might be hard to get.

Plus you can’t store it for too long, you’ll have to whip up a mixture every time you start a project. This can turn into a pretty big hassle.

• Dry Moly

Dry moly is the most common alternative for CerMark.

Any person you ask, they’ll probably name this one first.

This can be because of how easy it is to find them, but this lubricant also works well.

Clean-up can feel a little greasy so if you hate that, this isn’t for you.

Dry moly is the local name for the common lubricant spray you see in hardware stores.

There are lots of versions including spray cans, so you won’t really have a problem picking one.

These are also very easy to find. As mentioned, you can walk into any hardware supply store and find it there. You’ll just have to spray 2-3 coats and then go to town with it.

The marks will be pretty deep, but don’t expect too much. They will be permanent of course, but it won’t be too dark.

Is CerMark Worth It?

You know about the top alternatives now, but they’re still substitutes. So, what about the OG CerMark? How good it is, and how does it hold up? Is it worth the investment?

CerMark is the most popular engraving lubricant for a reason. It is easy to work with, easy to clean up, and easy to find. The best part?

The marks you’ll get. CerMark will give you the darkest marking on metal, and it works with pretty much every kind of them.

CerMark also has multiple sizes available. So if you’re ever in a budget pinch, you can still find an option to work with.

So, is CerMark worth it? Absolutely yes. Unless you’re in a budget clutch or you just don’t like the formula, nothing will top the CerMark output.

Also Read: Differences Between CerMark And Enduramark Metal Marking Spray.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are a bunch of questions people ask about CerMark and its alternatives.

Final Verdict

CerMArk is the best engraving marker you’ll see, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t good substitutes for it. This list is a good start on CerMark alternatives, you can work your way through the others.

Make sure to take proper precautions every time you make DIY solutions because they involve some strong chemicals.