Poor Etching Results

As it is with most things, after putting in the time and effort, there is nothing more disheartening than getting subpar results. Even when you have done everything right, some things just turn out wrong. Here are some common pitfalls and roadblocks to achieving successful etching results and our suggestions for handling them.

Blotchy Etching The successful use of Armour Etch Glass Etching Cream relies upon the proper chemical reactions taking place on the surface of the glass. The chemical composition of the glass, special coatings, sealants, surface contaminants and debris can interfere physically and chemically with this process. Blotches can also be the result of undetected stains or discolorations created near the surface of the glass during the manufacturing process.

Moving the etching cream around more during the etching process can help to prevent blotchiness from occurring. To attain a more uniform, frosted look in existing blotchy spots on the glass there are a few things you can try. After cleaning and drying the area, sanding twigs can be used to even out the etching in most under-etched or blotchy areas. Fillers, such as art waxes and coloring agents, can be used to fill in the etching.

Glass Cookware and Food Jar Fails Due to the wide variety of coatings and composition of cooking and food storage glassware, new or recycled, not all will etch with the Armour Etch Glass Etching Cream. We strongly recommend you test the glass first with a dot of the cream in an inconspicuous spot. If the Armour Etch Cream is not working on that item, then consider switching to the sand etching method for your project. Sand etching does not require a chemical reaction with the glass to be successful and therefore works well on cream resistant surfaces.

Foggy Marks and Lines in the surrounding glass after etching. These can usually be attributed to rinse water. Rinse water contains etching cream and can leave a permanent, foggy, ghosting look to the exposed glass it encounters. When rinsing the etching cream off a project, it is of critical importance that the water not touch the glass. Securely taping the area around the stencil is a very important step in the glass etching process. Be sure the tape overlaps the stencil edges and is rubbed down firmly to prevent any gaps for the water to collect in as well as any exposed areas the water may flow over.

Blurry, Messy Image Edges. When stencil images come out blurry, messy, and blobby rather than with crisp, clean edges, it is usually the result of poor stencil adherence to the glass. All reused stencils should be checked for anything that may be on the sticky side of the stencil that could cause interference between the stencil and the glass. Paper towel fuzz, lint, hair, tiny crumbs or little bits of erroneous things can easily get stuck and go unnoticed. Always clean off stencils carefully after use and inspect carefully before reuse.

Once the desired location has been identified and the stencil placed onto the properly cleaned glass, it must then be firmly but gently rubbed down onto the glass. All bubbles in the material near the design edges need to be completely removed prior to adding the cream. If the stencil is not properly adhered to the glass, etching cream will seep underneath the design edges and etch areas where it is not wanted.

Brush Strokes. Brush strokes from the application process can result in a broom swept appearance on the glass rather than a uniform, frosted look. To avoid this, the cream should be gently moved around with your brush during the process to refresh what is currently laying against the glass. Equally important is the quantity of cream used. Stencil images should be covered with a thick layer of etching cream that can not be seen through in any area.

Article Posted: 11/02/2022 01:40:33 PM