Etching

[arko]

Not sure if this is actually suitable/related to this site/section (not related to sublimation)... but I have just started tinkering with something I saw on a Large scale Print/signage site. For a first attempt I thought it was at least presentable if not worthy of my missus putting it up on the wall.
This was made with an etching cream that apparently only works with glass. Some other brands etch perspex and other similar media. First I had to find a mirror... luckily enough, we had one in the shed intended for the car-boot sale.....
Removed the glass and backing, gave it a damn good clean with soapy water and a good dry with lint free cloth to reduce the tiny threads. .....got to watch out for finger-prints!.
Anyway, did a quick design with SignGo, cut on bog-standard sign vinyl and attempted the weeding task. ...... what a nightmare!... 3 hours later....!
Shook up my pot of magic cream and plastered it over the unmasked areas and let stand for 5 minutes. Took my brush and then dabbed again all over to ensure every little detail was covered. The whole etching/chemical reaction time was about 10 minutes... the manufacturer states 1-5 minutes depending on media but what I have read on other sites, I decided to leave it for longer.
Took the whole thing up to the shower and thoroughly rinsed off the rest of the cream, although some say it is re-useable... Im going to have to remember that! Once that was all washed off, I dried it and started to peel off all the remaining vinyl.... a quick polish and .....VOILA!.... what do you reckon?

[arko]

p.s. did anyone notice the mistake in the text?.... if not, Im sure my missus wont either! ... hahahahaha!

[Paul]

Blimey!!! that loooks sooo good! Never tried that my self but someone mentioned this method once or twice on here but never seen actual result.

I think you can be proud of yourself.

btw. this should be in show off tread!

[arko]

Cheers Paul. For a first attempt, I was quite impressed myself. Burnt my fingers on the cream once or twice but it was worth it. And yeah, if it could be moved to the Show-Off Threads, that would be good. I wasnt sure where to put it.

[arko]

p.s. ... they are some of the nice florals I showed you from that vector site!.

[Dave271069]

sorry but i cant see images lol.

[Ian M]

Ian, that is amazing & well done & thanks for sharing it with us.

[arko]

Cheers Ian. I was actually really surprised at how simple it is and very cheap to produce. I reckon you can get a cheap framed mirror like the one I used for around a fiver, the cream costs £7 and at that size might/may/could/probably sell personalised for around £30-£40 + if not a lot more. I dont know what prices these sort of things go for so if anyone has some pointers!!?... and Dave, are you using your windows 8 pc again?... hahahaha! I will send them by text if you want.

[Justin]

Lovely work, very nice...and something a little different as well

[arko]

Thanks Justin. I wasnt sure whether to submit it or not. I was chatting with Dave earlier and we both thought maybe there might be something in this... not much of a layout (cost), basic sign/sub/print equipment needed: graphics programme, cutter, vinyl and of course the glass. I forgot to mention ealier that when I was talking with Dave, he picked up on a good selling point through, weddings, glasses, military honours, memorials etc ..... any other ideas? Glasses I reckon would be good. Mind you, saying that, even on the size that I produced, the small detail was a pain to weed and if that or something similar was to be put onto a glass, the time factor for weeding alone would punch the price through the roof.