Etching question - help needed

[sclar]

Hi

I treated myself to a pot of etchall but do I etch before or after annealling and does etching affect the fine silver wire?

Thanks

Sarah

[helbels]

Hiya

No it doesn't affect fine silver wire, but it does affect silver glass (in my experience anyway).

I have etched both before and after annealing, but after annealing is more conventional and saves your etchall getting all clogged up with bead release.

[♥♥Tan♥♥]

I always etch after cleaning my beads but I anneal as I go, if you batch anneal you may not be able to clean them without putting stress on them?

[sclar]

Thanks for the replies, I batch anneal as I don't get much torch time, so I guess I will anneal, then clean then etch. Kiln going on tomorrow so will have a go at the weekend.

Thanks again

Sarah

[♥♥Tan♥♥]

Good luck, it's easier than you think, although beware because some of the transparents take longer to etch than the opaques

[Charli]

I etch after.. because i don't have the finest kiln-control in the world- and if you go a bit too hot your beads end getting sort of heat-polished, and end up shiny again!