The best Etching Materials: Reddit reviews

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OP's example is obviously super intricate, but you can do similar things at home. I have made a number of completely custom things, that even if I could find for sale, would be too expensive. The only things you need to are a local vinyl decal shop and patience, everything else is readily available.

The most work is messing with the image in Photoshop or paint.net in order to determine what areas will be etched and what areas will not be. Once your image is set, a local vinyl decal maker can print it out for you. Then you do like the .gif shows, removing the portions of the decal that you intend to etch. After that you apply the decal to your glass, making sure that each little bit is adhering as well as possible. You then apply an etching cream, I use Armour Etch. This stuff only takes a few minutes to work, and can be washed off with plain water. Works incredibly well. All that is left to do is peel off the decal and wash well.

I buy flat glass from the remnant boxes at my local glass shops, where everything in the box is usually a flat price of $3-$5 each, they might even cut it for you. For glassware I check thrift shops like Goodwill or failing that someplace like Hobby Lobby.

There are other creams besides Armour Etch, but this is what I like. Apply liberally to ensure complete coverage, but don't buy a huge bottle unless you intend on using it frequently. It does not age well and the bottle gets skanky.

Have fun.

Response from my brother: "The glasses were chemically etched with a stencil. I used this ammonium bifluoride paste from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001DTWYG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=Y8HS2RKMC1LE&coliid=IBLT859MJPB2K

The images are from the titanfall website, but I made vector versions of them."

I asked for the vectors, so when he sends them I'll add a link.

Edit: Link to SVG: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6awW1LfykpuN2NEcGt0X1hEdGs

Tag: /u/TheDeadlyWrath /u/AaronBalton /u/BigR0n75

Well there's also Armor Etch that's used for glass. It a chemical reaction that leaves it frosted. Only works on glass tho i think.

You need to etch with an acid. https://www.amazon.com/Armour-Etch-15-0250-Cream-22-Ounce/dp/B000XAN6NA/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=glass+etching&qid=1608342466&sr=8-10

Make sure it's actually clean. Wipe it down with rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth. If you touch the bed, your fingers have enough oil to keep the plastic from sticking.

Also, you need to pay a lot more attention to bed temperature.

I've never seen a need for it, but etching glass is really easy. You just paint something like this (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001DTWYG) on and leave it for a short while. IF you really need more traction, that should get it for you without gunking up your bed.

If you can get some glass etching acid which they sell at craft stores paint elensky and they'll have to go to the dealer to replace. Be there for a while...takes time to get a dealer to replace window. It's not cheap, but if you can find it... Armour Etch Cream, 10-Ounce https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B001BE3UM4/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_MB5B8PCW7T58N3WBKW6F

Not sure of your exact use but to go from clear to frosted is pretty easy and cheap

glass etching solution

Permanently, assuming they're really glass https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BE3UM4/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_ZMJ7FZK8RE3VD5P9RDWW

Removable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083TBNCT6/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_dl_C0RZQCMRH8MJ3Q92AWMX

Or you could get a backdrop of some kind

I bought this on Amazon but craft stores may stock it as well. A little goes a long way.

If it is real glass, then Armour Glass Etching Cream would frost the glass to make it translucent.

I used this stuff, spread it on for 15 minutes, washed off.

The funny part is when I washed it off the glass was completely clear and unaffected. I thought the stuff was junk. But once the water dried it was perfectly etched.

always carry a little jar of this stuff: https://www.amazon.com/Armour-Etch-2-8-Oz-Cream/dp/B0001DTWYG/ref=sr_1_2?crid=XG1LN06TWE1F&dchild=1&keywords=glass+etching+cream&qid=1618760148&sprefix=glass+etching+%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-2 and you put a little on your finger and write ASSHOLE! on his windows (all of them) and in 15 minutes, he has to purchase all new windows on his van because the glass it now indelibly etched.

They're really easy to make! All you need is glass mugs, etching cream, and gloves and decals. If you know anyone makery/crafty, they are very likely to know someone with a Cricut or other cutting machine - they can whip the decals up for you in no time, but you can also diy it with contact paper and a lot of patience. I use goo gone to help peel the decal when I'm done etching, but you can just pick it off by hand with time and an edged tool of some sort. The decal application and removal is the hardest part, if you've got steady hands or deft fingers, or even just a lot of patience, you can totally do this!

There are a few 'pro' printers that use speedball blades and handles - so while they may not be the 'best' - they work and work well enough depending on what you're doing.

Amazon uk sells Essdee packs of single type of blades, so you'll probably have to look around

I'd suggest though, that if you only have a single handle. To get another handle set - that way you get the blades and an extra handle - you can keep one with a V and another with a U attached to quickly switch.

Any thoughts of doing it yourself? Have a sign/vinyl shop cut out the design/words you want and use a glass etching product from Amazon

If you're feeling artsy or you have a stencil, try your hand at making them yourself. I started with a few "tester" glasses until I got comfortable then I made some custom snifters for my tasting group. Amazon link for "glass etching cream": https://www.amazon.com/Armour-Etch-15-0200-Cream-10-Ounce/dp/B001BE3UM4

I use a printmakers etching needle like this one, but I have one with a slightly wider tip on the opposite end: https://www.amazon.com/Specialty-UJR330A-herramienta-grabado-metálico/dp/B0042SR90K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=etching+needle&qid=1596233669&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFENEpBN1VZRDNZTFUmZW5jcnl...

You mean a small one? I saw a nice one on amazon in your price range that can fit on a table, and is the real deal. If you look there you may have some luck, just gotta wade through all the tshirt presses though Edit: found the link link that hopefully works

Here is a link to one on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/All-Steel-Construction-Suitable-Printing-Monotype/dp/B004WQGIJ0/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=ETCHING+PRESS&qid=1568501280&s=gateway&sr=8-1

IT IS NOT THE SAME ONE I HAVE, so I cannot speak to the quality of this one but it looks very similar.

This model in this video looks very similar to the one I have and the one in the amazon link. My guess is that they are all made by the same company and then different suppliers are buying them and rebranding them:

https://youtu.be/zAXdoS2TTxA

I hope this helps. Good luck on your journey!

I used something like this in the past to etch a bottle, I just coated the whole thing and it ends up frosted:

https://www.amazon.com/Armour-Etch-2-8-Oz-Cream/dp/B0001DTWYG

It looks like there is also spray paint finish you can use for it, which might be cheaper.

Ok, I was just curious because I know with glass there are ways to chemically etch which is much simpler and cheaper than sand blasting. This is the stuff I have used: http://www.amazon.com/Armour-3-Ounce-Glass-Etching-Carded/dp/B003W0MUVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462888691&sr=8-1&keywords=glass+etching

I would suggest trying it out if you do glass, it works great and you can use paper or masking tape to stencil.

None the less, these look amazing! Great Job!

You can also buy Etching Cream instead of sand blasting. It chemically etches the glass, but not as resilient as sand blasting.

http://www.amazon.com/Armour-Etch-15-0200-Cream-10-Ounce/dp/B001BE3UM4

How do I use this product called Armour Etch on pyrex glass? I have the kind of pyrex that is coated over so it does nothing to it. Is there a way I can rough up the coating so that the etch will work on the glass? Product:.

I believe this to be an etching tool actually. The tip should be very sharp, as you would use this to say etch your name on metal, or glass.

http://www.amazon.com/Carbide-Scribe-MARKING-Etching-Measuring/dp/B00FVR96OS/ref=sr_1_5?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1441811926&sr=1-5

It can be done at home fairly easily, you need to laser print the design onto a transparency to act as a mask for when you expose the photo resist. You should be able to find photoresist film on amazon or ebay, i actually found this stuff too which you can use instead of acid to do the etching.

Thanks! I used this cream, Armour Etch, to etch the glass. It's pretty harmful stuff so you have to be careful with it. The holders are small leather straps with little screw in studs. They're just tacked down to another piece of wood. Let me know if you'd like any more info!

If you want to do glass etching, you basically can do this:
1) Put some masking tape on the glass.
2) Draw what you want etched on the glass on the masking tape.
3) Use an Xacto knife and gently cut out the design you just drew.
4) Use some etching cream on the area exposed, where you just cut away.

Now you have the design 'etched' in to the glass. I don't know if this will work with plastic too, but it's worth a shot.

The vinyl is going to come off of that glass. Buy some of this and create a permanent design. http://www.amazon.com/Armour-Etch-15-0200-Cream-10-Ounce/dp/B001BE3UM4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422858718&sr=8-1&keywords=armour+etch

Looks like a good walkthrough! Good cheap suggestions.

If you're doing plexiglass, you're going to have to use letter stickers to stay cheap. However, if you use glass, you can use glass etching cream and an overhead transparency stencil to etch letters.

Of course, you'd be certain it'd never break if you used plexiglass, but the etched glass would look way better. . .

I would also suggest using 'glazing tips' (just google 'em) instead of hot glue if you end up using real glass, but TheMadHatter made a good list of suggestions!

My favorite cheap gift is to go to the dollar store, get a couple classy-looking wine glasses, and custom etch some designs on them with this stuff: http://www.amazon.com/Armour-Etch-Cream-3-oz/dp/B0001DTWYG

Get some blue painter's tape, put some on the glass, trace out some Celtic knots or some shit, and cut out the design with an X-acto knife. The put the etching cream on there for 5 minutes. Rinse it off, remove the tape stencil, and wash the glass. One-of-a-kind gift in about an hour+ per glass, depending on the intricacy of your stencil.