Preparing Surface for Layout

Layout lines have to be visually plain. Hence, the surface of the work is coated along with a layout material that is why scribed lines are seen easily. The surface have to be clean and free from dust, surface scale, oil, grease, etc., otherwise layout material will not stick to it. There are several ways of coating the surface for layout.

 (1) Commercial layout dye or bluing is usually used to coat work surfaces. It is not expensive and dries extremely fast. Layout dye is usually applied with brush.

(2) Chalk may be utilized into rough surfaces of castings.

(3) Copper sulphate solution is utilized for coating machined surface.