Etching?!

[metaltedgrrl]

Hi,
have tried a quick search, but not found what I'm after - can anyone point me in the direction of a thread or tutorial on etching?!  I don't have a clue how it's done...oh, the shame!
I love the look of it though...

[sparrow]

Hi there, you can buy either etching cream or solution (a liquid) - if you're after etching several smaller beads, just chuck them in and give them a gentle shake now and then (otherwise the place where they touch will stay shiny). Bigger beads, you can hang on a piece of wire (or etch them before you take them off the mandrel), again, make sure they don't touch the floor or sides. You should get a good effect after about 10-15 minutes

[★★Terri★★]

Where do you get the etching fluid and creams from - I have seen the fluid for sale on a website somewhere (cannot remember where tho) but don't recall seeing cream.

[sparrow]

Hmmm.....not bought it before (I use the liquid), but google points me here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ETCHALL-glass-etching-cream-and-liquid-2-X-4-fl-oz_W0QQitemZ170405769848QQcategoryZ3099QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BIEW%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D11%26ps%3D63#ht_4767wt_754

[metaltedgrrl]

That's great, thanks!

[helbels]

Dee

Tuffnells sell Dip N Etch in a tub - you just put all your beads in a dish, cover with the fluid, stir them about a bit, then simply drain the Dip N Etch back into the tub (you can reuse it).  It takes about 5 minutes to etch them.  You can reuse the fluid over and over again.

Helen x

[Kaz]

I was horrified to see the listing on ebay showing someone etching without rubber gloves and also with instructions to use water in the container to gauge the depth before using the etchall. Etchall is a dangerous acid and, as has been pointed out on here by RedHotSal, its effect of eating in to skin and bone is intensified if it comes into contact with water.
Maybe Julie Lush can help here - she did a tutorial for Beads and Beyond a while back which involved 3 final steps showing the beads being etched - maybe the photos and instructions could be posted here?
Kazx

[Lush!]

Good idea, Kaz!  Here we go ...

Use all non-metal utensils with your Etch All fluid, and take proper safety precautions: wear rubber gloves, an apron and eye protection. Work in a ventilated space.



Lay your beads in a single layer in a plastic container, and cover with Etch All fluid.



After around 5 minutes, turn each bead over with a cocktail stick or wooden skewer to ensure all surfaces etch equally.



I didn't get a photo for the last step, but I pour the fluid back into the bottle through a plastic tea-strainer to catch the beads. Then tip the beads into a jug of cold water and rinse thoroughly under a running tap.  Pour off the water and sprinkle a layer of Bicarbonate of Soda over the beads, and add enough fresh water to just cover.  The bicarb will neutralise any acid left on the beads - you can either leave them to soak in this solution for a little while or rub them under the water.  Rinse and leave to dry on kitchen paper.

[turquoise]

my Oh mixed a stuffing for some BBQ fish in my just used etching jug!! I only found out when the fish was on the BBQ, he took the stuffing out and ate the fish, said it was very tasty.

[Kaz]

I also tend to wash my plastic container, plastic tweezers, jug and tea strainer in bicarb solution before packing it all & the etchall in a sealed box. Paranoid - moi?
Kazx

[metaltedgrrl]

You've been brilliant, thanks everyone for your advice! 

[lufi]

Just got my first ever pot of etching fluid from Tuffnells, so this was a huge help to read. Thank you to Julie Lush for the photos, now off to find some gloves!

[Les]

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

[Lilley]

Kaz - you are not being paranoid!  To me what you describe are necessary precautions.

[SilverGems89]

Julie that is a fab little tut, it would be great if it could go on the wiki?