[Jewelry making - Article 00084] - Re: [Orchid] Glass etching outside the US

[myredcar]

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Aloha Everyone,

    Evidently there are different mediums to Acid Etch glass.  Our
    company produces our designs and acid etches the designs onto glass.
    Since this is a corrosive, an acid, protective gear must be worn,
    especially eye shields, and thick gloves. 

    The largest request for a design template was 4 ft. x 4 ft. for
    interior glass sliding doors. To acid etch anything in the house
    which can't be picked up and taken to a clear water bath, bucket, or
    hose, creates a problem that must be well thought out in advance. 

    Our company's designer pondered long and hard how to cover a portion
    of 2 sliding glass doors which are 4 ft. x 8 ft.  In order for a
    pattern, and for light to pass through the etching, 2 different
    designs would look awful.  Therefore, she made on 4 ft. x 4 ft.
    template and it was used on both doors.  When the door is open, the
    2 same patterns give a 3-D effect.  When the doors are closed, the
    patterns look fluid and has continuity, since both are identical,
    the images do not clash with each other. 

    We are happy the craft stores sells Armour Acid Etch cream, that is
    thick enough to be brush on the surface after the template design
    has been cut, and the glass area to be etched cleaned. 

    The instructions on the bottle state use alcohol to clean but
    through botched experiments, we have discover that Apple Cider
    Vinegar is the best cleaning agent possible, and the acid holds onto
    the glass better. We also discovered that their instructions of,
    "Once you have applied a thick, even coat, do not repeat the process
    with a brush."  We have found this to be incorrect for our use.  By
    working slower, using a smaller, supple brush, the cream is
    retouched over and over, in side to side, top to bottom, and
    circular designs for 20 to 30 minutes and 10 minutes as suggested. 
    After all of our experiences, the best designs have come from the
    type of application we use. 

    We don't use Armour's Acid Etch Liquid because it is dangerous, but
    handled properly, does a great job for reverse etching.  It will
    acid etch the entire surface.  If you place a resist, we use plain
    clear, self adhesive Mylar (or shelf paper) from a  hardware store
    over the areas we want to remain clear, then the Liquid is used to
    give the appearance of a glass texture, just like glass found on
    beaches that is smooth and opaque, frosted look. 

    In any profession there is a need for safety first. Any time any
    item is used, the instructions should be read carefully first and
    understood by the reader. 

    Armour's Acid Etch Cream also has lumps in it, if you do not remove
    the lumps prior to placing the cream on the surface, holes will
    appear in the design.  It is also true, that if you use a large
    brush, and etch in the manner Armour suggests, brush strokes appear.
     Once an item has been etched, it is almost impossible to go back
    and fix the flaws.  If our designs come out with flaws, we turn them
    into geometrical shapes and can reuse the same glass, not wasting
    any products.  What does happen is it takes more time = labor= more
    costs. 

    Many templates you buy at a store are copyrighted.  This means it
    can't be used on any item that is sold.  Since we respect the rights
    of the designer, we have an in-house artiste that makes the designs
    for our company by drawing the template as her own piece of work,
    which we then have copyrighted as well. 

    If any one is interested in how it looks on glass panes on a house,
    reply directly to us at our e-mail address with ACID ETCH PICTURES 
    in the subject line. 

Much Aloha,
Barbara


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