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Post by fernwood on Aug 30, 2019 8:08:27 GMT -5
Wondering if this might work.
I do glass/mirror etching with Amour Etch cream. It is fast acting and works well.
Could I use this cream to etch flat or low dome cabs that have a high gloss finish? I do not know the ingredients off the top of my head of the Amour Etch.
Would use it on solid colored rocks only. I have some red jasper, black chert and other slabs with no or minimal patterns. Would not want to distract from nicely patterned rocks.
For those who have never used etching cream: Stencils can be purchased or made. The purchased ones are rub on, one time use. I have made my own with clear contact paper or tape. After the stencil pattern is applied to the surface, the etching cream is evenly applied. I usually leave it on mirrors for about 15 minutes. Glass for 30 minutes. Wash it off with warm water. Remove the stencil and wash again. Sometimes use Goo Gone to remove any sticky residue. Wash again.
another one of my crazy thoughts. Imagine a rose etched into red jasper. That would be cool.
Thanks.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Aug 30, 2019 9:28:27 GMT -5
Never hurts to try, Beth. Sounds like you'd achieve a similar effect to what Billy toiv0 has sand blasted on his cabs.
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Post by manofglass on Aug 30, 2019 10:01:50 GMT -5
Try it on obsidian
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Post by Starguy on Aug 30, 2019 11:16:22 GMT -5
As manofglass said, it should work on obsidian. Glass is etched by sandblasting or by hydroflouric acid. I’m guessing the paste uses that.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2019 12:07:25 GMT -5
Yes, if hydrofluoric acid or similar that etches glass, it should also etch anything with a high silica content (agate, quartz, jasper, obsidian, opal, etc.).
HF can be dangerous (both direct contact and breathing the vapors when using), so read the precautions and take them VERY seriously. Don't let it contact your sink or other glazed surfaces, either.
Edited to add: just checked, and it seems your etching paste doesn't contain hydrofluoric acid. It's a combination of barium sulfate, sulfuric acid, sodium bifluoride, ammonium bifluoride. Still, if it etches the silica in glass, it should work on other high-silica materials.
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Post by HankRocks on Aug 30, 2019 12:48:30 GMT -5
Yes, if hydrofluoric acid or similar that etches glass, it should also etch anything with a high silica content (agate, quartz, jasper, obsidian, opal, etc.). HF can be dangerous (both direct contact and breathing the vapors when using), so read the precautions and take them VERY seriously. Don't let it contact your sink or other glazed surfaces, either. Edited to add: just checked, and it seems your etching paste doesn't contain hydrofluoric acid. It's a combination of barium sulfate, sulfuric acid, sodium bifluoride, ammonium bifluoride. Still, if it etches the silica in glass, it should work on other high-silica materials. fernwood I just copied this from Wikipedia; Hydrogen fluoride gas is an acute poison that may immediately and permanently damage lungs and the corneas of the eyes. Aqueous hydrofluoric acid is a contact-poison with the potential for deep, initially painless burns and ensuing tissue death. By interfering with body calcium metabolism, the concentrated acid may also cause systemic toxicity and eventual cardiac arrest and fatality.
Very nasty stuff, personally I would avoid it. Henry
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Post by manofglass on Aug 30, 2019 13:46:54 GMT -5
I use it now and then best to use it outside I put it down the sink a few times
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Post by fernwood on Aug 30, 2019 16:42:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the input.
When I was a 4-H leader the Homecrafts leader had the kids use it. I often stayed and helped her. We were very careful and had the kids wear gloves, goggles and were outside.
Figure it is worth a try.
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Post by Starguy on Sept 3, 2019 21:46:51 GMT -5
I use muriatic acid to clean garnets. That stuff is nasty! It works though.
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