First try at an acid wash with muriatic acid

jonnymac44

jonnymac44

Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
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I wanted to try an acid washed finish on some of my D2 blades. I looked locally for some ferric chloride and didn't have any luck, but I read a few threads where people were happy with the finish they got from Muriatic acid, so I found some at Home Depot and gave it a shot. Here are my results with one of my D2 Two Finger Wharnies.

How does it look? Any suggestions for finishing? I just used some super fine white scotch brite to lightly buff it a bit but that's it. I've never done it before so I'm not sure if I should just etch it and leave it or if there are any other finishing steps I should be doing.

Thanks for any ideas.

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Jonny, that looks awesome! Did you neutralize the acid afterwards? It reallt makes it look like a factory blade. How far did you go with the metal finish before the acid bath? I think a nice higher grit finish would look awesome done that way.

I just hope you don't acid wash your jeans, they didn't look good in the 80's and don't look good now. ;-)



Cheers-
-Xander
 
Looks good. I usually add hydrogen peroxide to the acid for a faster reaction. 2 parts hydrogen peroxide and 1 part muriatic. Do not inhale. Do not etch near an open flame.
 
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Just neutralize with baking soda & water. I'll strop the edge to a bit of a polish then maybe a quick wipe with mineral oil.
 
Looks really good. I'm using muriatic/water to etch my steel and like it well enough.
 
Thanks guys!

I tried a low concentration with purified water to start and got almost no reaction. This was with a 50/50 mix with muriatic and water. I used windex to neutralize, wasn't sure if that was correct, but figured it works when I etch my logo so I might as well try it for the muriatic too.
 
Jonny, that looks good. The D2 that I have done with FC looks little darker than your muriatic etch. Is that the MA that is used to etch concrete?
 
Zanderman said:
Jonny, that looks good. The D2 that I have done with FC looks little darker than your muriatic etch. Is that the MA that is used to etch concrete?
Click to expand...

Yes, it's the concrete etch muriatic. I believe it's not full strength which is why I needed the higher concentration with water to get this color. I might try it without any water and see how good that does. I'd still like to find some ferric chloride to try.
 
Thanks numbers, but I have checked my local stores and they all tell me they don't stock it any more. I'm still on the hunt!
 
jonnymac44 said:
Thanks numbers, but I have checked my local stores and they all tell me they don't stock it any more. I'm still on the hunt!
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I don't really know where Pinole, Ca is,
I used 94564 as a zip

& all these stores list it as in stock

Maybe the store workers aren't well informed?
call it PCB etchant, not ferric chloride


You can order online and have it delivered to your local store too.
http://www.radioshack.com/helpdesk/popup.jsp?display=ship&subdisplay=tostore


16 oz. PCB Etchant Solution
16 oz. PCB Etchant Solution

Model: 276-1535 | Catalog #: 276-1535

See where you can get it:

This product is available at the following locations near 94564.
Last updated on May 7, 2011.
PINOLE-FITZGERALD
01-3292 | 0.00 miles*
See a map
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:30 am - 8:30 pm
Sunday 10 am - 7 pm


510-222-7424
PINOLE VISTA CENTER
1592 FITZGERALD DR
PINOLE, CA 94564

In stock



HERCULES
01-3277 | 1.47 miles*
See a map
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:30 am - 8:30 pm
Sunday 10 am - 6 pm


510-964-1591
HERCULES S/C
3700 SAN PABLO AVENUE
HERCULES, CA 94547


In stock



SAN PABLO-TOWN CENTER
01-3211 | 2.83 miles*
See a map
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:30 am - 9:00 pm
Sunday 10 am - 6 pm


510-232-9221
104 SAN PABLO TOWN CTR
SAN PABLO, CA 94806


In stock



RICHMOND MACDONALD RT SC
01-3291 | 4.29 miles*
See a map
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:30 am - 8:30 pm
Sunday 10 am - 6 pm


510-236-2866
MACDONALD 80 RTL SHP CTR
4250 MACDONALD AVE #D
RICHMOND, CA 94805


In stock



ALBANY-SAN PABLO
01-3215 | 7.37 miles*
See a map
Store Hours:
Mon-Fri 9:30 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday 9:30 am - 7:00 pm
Sunday 10 am - 6 pm


510-527-4340
563 SAN PABLO AVENUE
ALBANY, CA 94706


In stock



VALLEJO-SONOMA BLVD
01-3228 | 7.75 miles*
See a map
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 9 am - 9 pm
Sunday 10 am - 7 pm


707-643-1771
3325 #10 SONOMA BLVD
VALLEJO, CA 94590


In stock



VALLEJO-ADMIRAL CALLAGHAN
01-3267 | 8.31 miles*
See a map
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:30 am - 8:30 pm
Sunday 10 am - 7 pm


707-552-6570
918 ADMIRAL CALLAGHAN WAY
VALLEJO, CA 94591


In stock



BERKELEY-SHATTUCK
01-3243 | 9.04 miles*
See a map
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:00 am - 8:45 pm
Sunday 10 am - 7 pm


510-841-6713
2500 SHATTUCK ST
BERKELEY, CA 94704


In stock



BERKELEY-UNIVERSITY AVE
01-3274 | 9.20 miles*
See a map
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:00 am - 8:30 pm
Sunday 10 am - 6 pm


510-845-2987
1652 UNIVERSITY AVE
BERKELEY, CA 94703


In stock
 
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Looks great, Jon. Another custom option from a cool maker.

Numbers, you have a reputation for finding information. I think it quite admirable that you take the time as often as you do.
 
Numbers, thanks for taking the time brother! Very much appreciated. I did go and ask at both the Hercules and Pinole stores and was told they don't carry it, but I was asking for Ferric Chloride. Think I'll make another trip and get a bit more specific.

Thanks again for the help!
 
jonnymac44 said:
Numbers, thanks for taking the time brother! Very much appreciated. I did go and ask at both the Hercules and Pinole stores and was told they don't carry it, but I was asking for Ferric Chloride. Think I'll make another trip and get a bit more specific.

Thanks again for the help!
Click to expand...

The website may be out of whack & they really don't have it, but it's worth a try.

You can always "ship to the store"
http://www.radioshack.com/helpdesk/popup.jsp?display=ship&subdisplay=tostore
 
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