How to Etch mesh
Datetime:2013-10-02 Hits:
Before doing the etching process you should surround the piece of metal with some masking tape so the edge of the tape sticks up above the surface of the metal slightly to contain the etching solution on the surface of the plate. Cover the surface of the waxed metal with the solution of nitric acid with a brush and allow it to set on the surface. The longer the acid solution is in contact the deeper the etching.
Before you do a completed etching it is best if you make some small test etchings first using the same techniques used as above. You might want to try several different times on your samples before going on to a full etching.
You can make a sample plate by coating a sheet of metal with wax then draw several parallel lines on it with a stylus. Then you can apply nitric acid solution to one line at a time in this way you can observe how much time will produce the desired results.
Your etching process is complete and you can wash of the nitric acid solution by flooding it with water. The wax can be removed with hot water leaving a finished etching. This can be left as is, or can actually used for printing on paper in an etching press available at better art supply stores.
Either metal or paper etchings are works of art that are capable of being mounted and framed. Mounting is when you put your artwork inside a cardboard frame that is larger then the art. The art is enclosed in an opening in the cardboard. Standard sizes of mounts can be bought at art supply stores.
