Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Tutorial- How to Etch Metal

With so many requests I figured it was about time I shared with you how
 I etch my metal with rubber stamps.
Grab a cup of tea or coffee sit back and enjoy!



Etching Tools and Materials
 Metal: brass or copper sheeting, Ferric Chloride, Liver of Sulfur, Tin snips,
Plastic containers to hold metal pieces, Blue painter’s tape, Sharpie Marker-Black, Stazon Ink pad- black, Rubber stamps (heaver images work best), Metal file, Steel wool, Rubber gloves, baking soda,
Old toothbrushes, Drill or metal punch, Band Saw or Jewelers saw, Eye Protection or goggles,
Paper towels, Clear sealer
Liver of Sulfur  (if you want to antique your finished piece) 

Technique
1. Begin by cutting pieces of brass sized to fit stamps. Cut using tin snips.

2. Stamp the image on the metal pieces with black Stazon ink and your rubber stamps.
3. You will need to edge the pieces of your metal with black Sharpie
    (this will prevent the solution from eating away at the sides)

4. Take the brass pieces and add strips of Blue painters tape on the back burnishing down to secure.
5. Make sure your work area is protected as Ferric Chloride stains. Wear rubber gloves and place the prepared metal pieces in a plastic container image face down using the tape to secure the sides.
 Add Ferric chloride so the metal floats on top of the liquid.
Let sit for approx. 3 to 4 hours.
6. Wear gloves before removing the metal pieces and clean with baking soda using an old toothbrush.
Follow by cleaning with water to remove residue.


7. You can cut the shape of the your pieces by using a band saw and a thin blade.
 Remember to wear eye protection.  A jewelers saw will also work but will take a lot longer.
If you don't have access to a saw you can simple cut your pieces square.

8. Use a metal file to smooth edges of cut pieces.


9. Use a metal punch or drill holes at this time if you'd like

You can Antique your pieces as desired by dipping them in the bath of Liver of Sulfur. Follow manufactures instructions. Brass takes on the color very quickly. Let dry sand lightly with steel wool to desired finish.
Spray finished pieces with a clear sealer to protect clothes

Tips: Wear rubber gloves and protect clothing when using Ferric Chloride as it stains.
Always wear eye protection when cutting or filing metal.
If when stamping your image on metal it smudges you can clean with Stazon cleaner or Ultra Clean, remove residue before re-stamping.
Use stamps that have thick designs for best results.
You can re-use the ferric Chloride, but it does lose some of its strength. Be sure to cover tightly.
To dispose of mixture weaken with baking soda first. Follow manufactures instructions.
Resources.
Ferric Chloride can be purchased at most Electronic Supply stores.
Brass or copper sheeting .32 gauge. I purchase mine at a metal supply store.

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial.
Please let me know you stopped by and leave a comment.
I'll be giving away a little blog candy to one of you on Saturday.
Giveaway Now Closed

I'd love to see your results so be sure to share your finished pieces.




62 comments:

the old white house said...

so glad that I was on here when you posted this! Your tutorial is perfect, I would need to get a few of the items so I will be putting it on my MUST DO list. I can think of so many ways to use this technique! Thanks so much! t.xoxooxo

Marti said...

Thanks for the tutorial. As soon as I can round up the supplies, I am going to do this. Have a good day.

Karen B. said...

Dear Lynn,
this is such a great tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

hugs
Karen B. ~ Todolwen

Claire said...

Wow what a fabulous technique, the finished results are stunning.
TFS
Claire xx

Wendy Aspinall said...

Lynn that's amazing..... thank you for the tutorial...I always wondered how to do that and now i know .... you did a wonderful job... Hugs wendy

Anonymous said...

That was a really great tutorial! I knew it was a lot of work but when I see it all out there I am truly amazed. Personally I could not stand the sound of the saw so I will never try it but I loved seeing how it was done. I will just have to admire yours!

Sandy said...

Thanks Lynn for this great tutorial.
Wonderful work and things. xoxo

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Thanks so much Lynn. I will keep referring back to this as I really want to give it a try. Thanks so so much. Tracy x x x

ImagiMeri said...

Wowee, I had no idea you went to such lengths! I don't know if I'd take that many steps......oh, okay, of course I would all for the sake of art ;o)

No wonder your creations are so wonderful, you put so much passion and work into them. This makes me even more proud to own some of your goodies.

Love ya'
Meri

Robin said...

Hi Lynn! Thanks so much for the detailed tutorial on metal etching. I have this on my art "bucket list" and may have to give it a try.....as soon as I get all the necessary supplies. Thanks again and have a great day.

Hugs,
Robin

Blessed Serendipity said...

Wow that technique looks so cool.

Danielle

HI! I'm Tabitha said...

lynn you r amazing. ive been wanting to learn this...thanks for the inspiration
hugs
tabitha

mernbob@aol.com said...

thanks for the demo.. you make it look so easy. myrna

Kikka N said...

Hi Lynn! Thank you for this very strict and informative Tutorial! Maybe I am able to use it some day. I`ll show the results to you then... :)
Hugs Kikka

Valerie-Jael said...

This looks very interesting, I wonder if I dare to try it??? Valerie

Suz said...

Great job, Lynn. You made it very understandable. Now what about this band saw thing? Is it really hard to use?

Hugs,
Suz

new address...suzreaney@comcast.net

Shelly Schmidt said...

This is so awesome- Thank You for sharing! I have started gathering the supplies- have one I cannot find.....Yippee! I already have my image picked out!

Anonymous said...

This has always fascinated me so I am delighted you created this tutorial.
I will need to see if I can source the blue tape but the other items, I am sure they are available over here.
Thank you Lynn for going to so much time and effort especially as you are incredibly busy.
I am sure many of us will get around to dabbling in etching all because of you.
Always an inspiration.
Wishes
Lynne

Jo said...

wow! that is quite the process! Great tutorial Lynn, your instructions are nice and clear. I am still amazed that you can etch the metal using a rubber stamp!!!

Oxana said...

WOW!!! Thank you, my friend!
Many hugs!

Netty said...

Terrific tutorial but to be quite honest I got lost after the rubber gloves.............yep I am a dimbo....lol x

cheryl said...

oh gosh Hun,these are just amazing,you always come up with such,wonderful idea,s hugs Cherylxxxx

Carolyn said...

Great tutorial, Lynn. You make it look so easy.

Hugs,
C

Rhea said...

So very cool! I have been wanting to try this technique for a long time. It does not look nearly as hard (or dangerous) as I would have thought. Thanks so much for sharing! I think I will be heading to the electronic store soon. :)

trisha too said...

GREAT tutorial, Lynn, you make me want to give this a try!


:-)

Unknown said...

Lynn I cant wait to try your tutorial! Thanks so much for taking the time to put it together and share.

newfiecrafter(Marilyn) said...

Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial so easy to follow .I'm going to gather the supplies and try this tech.
Marilyn

Paper Squirrel said...

Wow, I had no idea you could do this with stamps and StazOn! Thanks for the tutorial!

2amscrapper said...

this is a fantastic tutorial.

Diane said...

Thanks for the tutorial Lynn. I will refer back to it if I ever start working with that. Very well done! Diane

Lesley said...

Hi Lynne, thank you for going to great lengths so post this.
I couldn't get my head around the idea of etching metal with ink, now we know.
This might be an outdoor project, does it have a strong odor?
If I could find the supplies I may need to try this just to say I did.
Thanks again, your pieces are stunning.
Lesley

katemade designs said...

amazing - can't wait to give this a try. pinned

Kim Ross said...

You always do such a nice job with your etched metal projects -- I'm SO glad you took the time to share the technique with us! :) Thank you!!

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

Lynne, great tutorial, now to find the ingredients :)
Thank you for showing
xx

Marjie Kemper said...

Thanks for the tute, Lynn! That's a fantastic technique.

Gerri Herbst said...

Thanks so much for posting this...your pieces are always so wonderful and a joy to behold.take care, gerri

Rachelxx said...

Great tutorial, lovely clear steps. Thanks so much for sharing.

Anonymous said...

that is totally awesome! I can't wait to try it, I wonder if I can buy these chemicals over the counter?

Unknown said...

Oh my stars.. How cool is that. Thanks so much for the cool tutorial..

Art By Wanda said...

This is great, Lynn!!! Something I will have to try sometime!!!!

Jeme Baker said...

Wonderful Tutorial! I can't wait to give this a try.....thank you for such wonderful instructions:)

Kim said...

Those are amazing!!!!

Createology said...

Lynn thank you for sharing your etching tutorial. I am now certain I will leave this technique up to the experts like yourself. Messy and me are not compatible. Love your creative art dear!

Suzanne C said...

Fantastic tutorial and love the pieces you have created! It is fun to see your creative process!

Stampindamour said...

Very nice tutorial! xo

-pamela :)

Ali Manning said...

Wow - i'm amazed at how brave you are! The finished product looks amazing!

Martina said...

Thanks for the tutorial, dear Lynn! Very impressive!

Kate Yetter said...

Wow, sounds simple except for collecting all the products. Would love to give this a try. Thanks for the in depth tutorial.

Alexa said...

Great tutorial Lynne - they look fantastic when they're done! x

CuddlyBunny said...

Ouu! Thank you! I love to play with chemicals and power tools!

And, it so happens I'll be visiting an electronic supply store tomorrow for chandelier repair parts! yay!

I hope you're enjoying the first week of Spring!

PetraB said...

Thank you so much for sharing the tutorial, the results are amazing. I will try it once I've acquired some of the supplies. have a lovely weekend, Petra.

Something Special said...

super tutorial, thanks a bunch

Marie Lost Bird Studio said...

Hi Lynn,
thank you so much for this great tutorial!! I will give this another try.Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
Marie

Terry said...

Well this is one great tutorial, Lynn! Very interesting the process and not sure if I would be brave enough to put my hands near a saw! Lovely, my friend! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, starting right now!

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

Thanks for sharing this great tutorial.
Wonderful art work and pieces.
Have a nice weekend,
hugs Anja

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Oh yeah, I need to get some more acid and try this again. Mine did not look as good as yours. :)

Carol W. said...

Awesome tutorial~

Angelica said...

Wow!!!
Love the tutorial...and the result is stunning!!! Must try!
Thank you!

Cynthia said...

Help!!? Love this tutorial, having seen it in Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine. But the bead shop sold me powdered Ferric Chloride. How do I mix it? Unable to find liquid form. Thanks so much!

Gaby Bee said...

Thanks for this gorgeous tutorial!

Unknown said...

Thank you for posting this tutorial :)

Unknown said...

Thanks for all your hard your work,
Jerry

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