How to Etch Steel With Acid
Datetime:2013-10-04 Hits:
Etching steel with muriatic acid is a dangerous activity that uses caustic chemicals that can burn your skin and and the fumes can burn your eyes and lungs. Therefore this etching process should only be performed outside by adults following appropriate safety precautions. Muriatic acid causes a chemical reaction with the ions in steel and creates a dulling effect on the grains in the metal. This process can be used to create a sign or artwork on a flat piece of sheet metal.
Instructions
1
Place a piece of sheet metal onto a plastic tarp on a level surface outdoors.
2
Create the outline of the design that you want to etch onto the sheet metal with masking tape.
3
Apply a thick layer of latex paint onto the sheet metal to cover all areas which you do not want to etch. The latex paint will protect the steel from being exposed to the acid etching agent. Allow the paint to dry and then remove the masking tape.
4
Fill a plastic tub that is large enough to hold the piece of sheet metal with two inches of fresh water and one cup of baking soda.
5
Put on eye goggles, leather gloves and a leather apron for protection from the acid.
6
Add water to the glass jar and carefully add muriatic acid to the water according to the manufacturer's instructions. You must always add the acid to the water and not the other way around.
7
Carefully apply muriatic acid onto the exposed steel with a cotton swab. Allow the acid to set onto the sheet metal for at least one hour, but no more than four hours.
8
Apply a liberal amount of baking soda over the acid to neutralize the reaction. To complete the neutralization process, submerse the sheet metal in the tub of baking soda and water.
9
Remove the sheet metal from the tub of water, wash the metal with clean water and allow it to dry.
10
Scrape off the latex paint with a putty knife to expose the metal that was not etched.
