[Jewelry making - Article 00888] - [Orchid] Photoetching problems

[Shane Miller]

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    This is my first post even though I have been lurking in the shadows
    for the last couple of years. I have been successfully photoetching
    sterling silver in nitric acid using a nuarc exposure unit for the
    last 3 years (I have some images on the ganoksin gallery site.)
    These last years I have used Imagon Ultra which is now no longer
    available and has been replaced with Imagon Rapid. I've been told my
    Keith Howard (the maker of the film) that Imagon Rapid should be
    adhered to the plate the day before use and that the soda ash
    solution for developing should be mixed the day before. I hate that
    because sometimes I am backed up against the wall and need to etch
    at the last minute. I've made several attempts using the Rapid film
    in 3:1 nitric at 82 degrees and each time the film begins to
    deteriorate and lift after about 1 1/2 min and it usually takes
    between 5 and 6 minutes to get an adequate etch. I've tried diluting
    the acid in several ratios but then the acid doesn't bite and the
    film still eventually erodes. So now I'm trying Puretch film because
    it is already thinned...again it is not holding up in the nitric. I
    guess I'm wondering if anyone is using Puretch with Nitric acid and
    what your results are? There is also the possibility of using zacryl
    film but I'm wondering if it can be applied with the squeegee method
    or if one has to use a press and if it has to be thinned. Any help...
    comments,,, guidance... would be so appreciated...

Shane Miller
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