Etching?!

[Ciel]

One thing I wasn't sure about with the etching, is when you rinse them in the sink under running water, does it damage the surface of the sink?  I wondered what the effects on stainless steel or ceramic is, as presumably a trace of acid is running through it?

I must confess that I've been really, really paranoid about using this stuff and have always opted for the totally safe version of tumbling them instead.

Cheers!

[Bumpy Beads]

Etching solution WILL spoil a stainless steel sink.  A little paranoia when using etching solution isn't a bad thing. It's seriously hazardous stuff, but can be used safely provided the proper precautions are followed.

[Lush!]

Keep a little pot to use for neutralising: throw in some bicarbonate of soda, say a teaspoonful; add cold water (just enough to cover the beads).  Strain the etching fluid back into its container through a plastic tea strainer or funnel, or use plastic tweezers to pick the beads out of the fluid.  Drop the beads straight into the neutralising pot and leave them in there till it stops fizzing, agitate a bit and it may fizz some more.  Then rinse the neutralised beads under running water (I give em a rub too) - so no acid should actually come into contact with your sink.

[Bumpy Beads]

- so no acid should actually come into contact with your sink.

...unless you catch the top of the etching solution pot with your sleeve as you're reaching over to pick up the lid. Been there, done that 

[elburnzo]

- so no acid should actually come into contact with your sink.

...unless you catch the top of the etching solution pot with your sleeve as you're reaching over to pick up the lid. Been there, done that 

lol there speaks the voice of experience! we should put in a step in bold about putting everything within easy reach where u dont need to reach over things! could turn nasty otherwise

[Redkite]

I also discovered to my cost that tiny splashes on coloured tiles will bleach them. (oops!)

[elburnzo]

perhaps a list then... things to not get etching fluid on.....hmm summarised as dont get etching fluid on anything other than ur beads! Wear gloves, cover anything u like with something u dont mind getting wrecked also

[Cecilia]

LOL .... how lovely and clean that etch all looks !!! Mine is almost black now... must buy a new pot soon !
(it still works though)

following on from this - does etch all stop working? mine is black and horrible and still etches opaques ok but transparents don't seem to work very well now. Is this normal? I will get some more but just wondered if it has an optimum usage?

x