Beginnings

So, here are the results of my first attempts at etching metal. Not so great, huh? I used an Altoids tin and the salt water etch process I found at the Steampunk Workshop and Instructibles.

Actually, these are just the results of electrolytic cleaning as described here. I didn't even get to the etching before giving up. You'll see why towards the bottom of this post.

I followed a link in the comments of the Instructible above. Following his statement that electrolytic cleaning was easier than scrubbing at the tin, or stripping it with paint strippers I decided to forgo my own testing and just use the electrolytic cleaning.

Yesterday, on my day off, I took off to Ace Hardware and bought insulated alligator clips, electrical wire and a metal plate to act as the electrode. But not before I was called "a pretty girl" at least once. I've just found over the years that it's better to smile your thanks and then get on with whatever it was you were doing, rather than raising a fuss.

Then, I went to Target and bought a plastic container in which to put the solution and a lantern battery. I found one packaged with an underwater flashlight for $4.99 and individual batteries for $7.99. Go figure.

I mixed the solution, 1tbsp of household salt in enough water to cover the tin and poured it into the plastic storage container. Then, I put the metal plate at the bottom and folded up some paper towels to separate the tin and the plate to prevent a short. Once everything was in place and then connected I sat back and very impatiently waited. Every few minutes I'd disconnect the circuit and remove the tin to scratch at it. I don't know if this had any effect on the process but I couldn't resist. I didn't time the process but it'd taken enough time already that I didn't feel it was cost-effective to continue. Cost-effective meaning I got bored and would rather just purchase plain metal tins.

Also, another worrying side-effect of the process was the hazardous waste. Here's a picture of the solution today. I had it covered so the sediment got stirred up when I removed it. That floating white square is the paper towel and actually provides a good backdrop for the foul concoction. Good christ! If this is the result, I'm doubly certain I'd rather just purchase metals tins.

As you can see above, the tin is extra spotty because I didn't immediately rinse it and then dry it with heat. That's actually rust that formed incredibly fast in addition to the paint/enamel that I didn't completely remove. I read about that process here. That guy is primarily concerned with cleaning old engines and the like, but if Offlogic could use the process, I figured I could too.

Wow, I just remembered another reason for not doing this again. I'm not sure what it is I've created here other than that it's hazardous. It's some sort of chloride-something-or-other but I'm not sure what sort of metal Altoids tins are and what the metal plate I used as an electrode was made out of. I may just use another etching method like Bordeaux, Edinburgh, or Saline Sulphate . Those sound like the solution lasts longer, ultimately resulting in less waste.