Hi All...

I'm about to embark on a new Jewelry-making adventure: Etching!  I'm a little nervous, because I'm not used to using acid on metal.  I guess I'll just put the container near an open window (cold, but at least I get to keep my lungs).

But as far as a resist is concerned, what's the best to use? I'm etching Chinese letters, and I'd like to oxidize the letters afterwards (which is also something I've never done...but one step at a time). I guess I'm looking for your collective experience in this matter. I have McCreight's "The Complete Metalsmith", and he lists a few resists to use. I just wondered, with all your massive years of experience, which is the best to use..and also if you have some favs that aren't listed in his book.

Thanks!

Betsy

All of our massive years of experience won't help if we don't know what acid you are using. Billie

Sorry, Billie...I'm using nitric acid.

hi there!

nitric acid is what i use for my etching projects. just be careful whan you dilute the acid.

some say that beeswax is the best but what i found to be handy in this case is a product that looks like tar but a bit in a melted condition, that most people use to cover soldered bits in order to perform further soldering! sorry, but my english terminology and vocabulary is not that good since I'm greek, but i'll look the name of the product tomorrow at work and i'll get back to u.

I do also have the book that you mentioned, it's one of the best, very technical though and at times not so explanatory as in your case(which resist for which acid). the thing that i do is try most of the things it mentions. trying stuff is the best for our job. you'ii be amazed with what you may come acrross and be suitable for you!

cheers,

Mitro