Etching

[Sunnybank]

Hi, can anyone point me in the right direction?

I've started some silver etching and use wax to stop out. I'm finding wax is a bit heavy and difficult to apply for small pieces, but don't know what else to use. My bibles are "The jewellers directory of decorative finishes" by Jinks McGrath and "Tips and shortcuts for jewellery making" by Stephen O'Keefe. Both of them cover etching quite well, but are non specific about stopping out

I tried marker pen, but that lifted straight off. Any ideas please.

[bustagasket]

Sorry i am no help here i'm afraid, sounds intriguing tho!

[Solunar Silver Studio]

Hi Sunnybank - I don't know much about etching...did a little bit at college - generally unsuccessfully!! We did use a stopping out varnish with some success although it was a bit awkward to paint on... Like a good little girl I will direct you to COOKSONS who do sell it here... http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery...prcode-998-162

I know I have read about other stuff...like Sharpie markers but I think it depends what you are using to etch with as to how successful they are. I'm sure some of the others will have more ideas for you...but the weekend is always a bit slow here...you will have to wait until a few more people log on!!

[Sunnybank]

Thanks Barbara, the trouble with the polish from Cooksons is that it has to be couriered and therefore costs a bomb.

[Solunar Silver Studio]

Thanks Barbara, the trouble with the polish from Cooksons is that it has to be couriered and therefore costs a bomb.

I think you will have that problem wherever you get it from....I think the idea is to prevent you from making a BOMB!! All potential bomb making chemicals have this courier thing! I don't know if somewhere like Maplins would have anything...you do use etching for computer mother boards don't you?? You need to try a bit of 'out of box' thinking! Wait a bit and see if Peter logs on...he is the chemicals genius and has ideas spilling out of his ears!!!!!

[Di Sandland]

I think the idea is to prevent you from making a BOMB

Oh, so that's the reason I had to pay £11.00 for transport of pickle!

[Solunar Silver Studio]

Well - don't quote me on that ...but it is something like that!!

[mizgeorge]

I think it's a hazchem thing - it simply can't go Royal Mail.

I know you can use some acrylic paints as an alternative to tradition solvent based stop-out varnishes. Nail varnish certainly works.

Re-reading this http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nena...nsfer_etch.htm I wonder if artist's masking fluid might also work? A masquepen is incredibly easy to use, and can be very detailed. I use one for selective etching of lampwork beads (when I need a finer detail than nail varnish will allow).

[caroleallen]

Although I normally use stop-out varnish, I've also used permanent markers quite successfully. As long as you make sure you clean the silver perfectly before you start there shouldn't be a problem. If the marks disappear after a while, you can take the metal out of the acid, rinse and mark the lines again. You can also use things like electrical tapes.

[Coco]

What kind of acid do you use to etch?