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| Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips |
2009-07-02, 6:16pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 06, 2008
Location: Southern NH
Posts: 1,015
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Matted finish
How does one get that matted finish on a bead. I love that look but have no idea how to achieve it. Any pointers? Thanks!
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2009-07-02, 6:33pm
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Just Plain
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Join Date: Jun 18, 2005
Location: Trevor, Wisconsin
Posts: 4,279
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You can achieve it a few ways; etching solution, tumbling, or sandblasting 
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2009-07-02, 7:01pm
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Striking-impared...
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Join Date: Jun 13, 2005
Location: Hot 'n Humid SE Florida
Posts: 595
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Etching wih a chemical like Etch-All is the lowest cost method of getting a nice matte finished on glass beads. Depending on the glass and how matte you want it to be, it can take as little as 5 minutes. Disadvantage -- you need to be careful because etching liquid is a strong acid and will burn if you get it on yourself. You can buy Etch-All at many of the glass vendors here on LE.
If you already have a tumbler, that is an even lower-cost method. But obviously if you have to buy a tumbler it's more expensive. I've seen where some people have been able to get a nice matte look in as little as an hour in a tumbler with the right medium. Advantage -- no chemicals to worry about.
Sandblasting I don't know much about, other than purchasing the setup is much mmore expensive than buying a tumbler. But you can do designs with partial sandblasting that are fantastic.
(I've only used the Etch-All up to this point, but I now have a tumbler so I will be trying that instead.)
Hope this helps!
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Gail
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2009-07-03, 5:42am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 06, 2008
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This helps alot! Thanks very much!
Happy 4th everyone!
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2009-07-03, 7:09am
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Join Date: Nov 21, 2008
Location: Herndon, VA
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If you use products like Etch-All, just be very careful not to get any on your skin - use rubber gloves. The chemicals that etch glass also tend to go through the skin and attack bone. If you do get some on your skin, flush immediately with copious amounts of water. If you got much more than a drop or two on you, it's a good idea to see a doctor immediately. Etch-All isn't as concentrated as some glass etchants on the market, but it's enough to where you want to be careful.
Linda
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2009-07-03, 8:03am
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Formerly FishBulb
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Join Date: Dec 05, 2008
Location: Pony Flower Princess Land
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I have heard also that you should make sure the beads don't have any of your skin oils on it or they may not etch evenly -- this is when you're using the chemical.
Also if you do use the chemical MAKE SURE YOU'RE WEARING EYE PROTECTION. You do not want a splash of that stuff in your eye.
I have no experience with it myself as of yet but these are things I've read elsewhere and heard from lampworkers who do use the stuff.
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2011-11-01, 6:09pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 26, 2011
Location: Fort Lauderdale
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Is it possible to mask certain areas with etch all, so not all of the product is etched? I'm looking for paritillaly etched and non etched.
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2011-11-01, 7:34pm
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Lampworkaholic!
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Join Date: Apr 22, 2008
Location: Cornelius, NC - because weather
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Use a resist, like clear nail polish.
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2011-11-01, 7:54pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 26, 2011
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Then when finished use nail polish remover?
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2011-11-01, 8:34pm
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Lampworkaholic!
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Join Date: Apr 22, 2008
Location: Cornelius, NC - because weather
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Yep.
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2011-11-01, 8:55pm
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Entropy increasing....
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Join Date: Nov 12, 2005
Location: In a box of paints
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NMLinda
If you use products like Etch-All, just be very careful not to get any on your skin - use rubber gloves. The chemicals that etch glass also tend to go through the skin and attack bone. If you do get some on your skin, flush immediately with copious amounts of water. If you got much more than a drop or two on you, it's a good idea to see a doctor immediately. Etch-All isn't as concentrated as some glass etchants on the market, but it's enough to where you want to be careful.
Linda
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No, they do not. The chemical in Etch All is not Hydrofluoric acid. It is Ammonium biflouride.
Hydrofluoric acid is extremely dangerous and it's not in the far less dangerous Dip 'n Etch and Etch All that we use.
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2011-11-02, 4:10am
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Senior Moment
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Join Date: Apr 15, 2008
Location: Liberty NC
Posts: 688
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What resist do you use if you are tumbling the beads?
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2011-11-02, 11:05pm
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one day at a time
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Join Date: Jun 27, 2005
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I like the Arrow Springs crystals the best. I string my beads on fishing line with a 4mm bicone crystal bead in between each one for even etching and no shiny spots. The 4mm is good for beads that are made on 1/16" mandrels, so you may want to use 6mm bicone crystal beads for your beads if they are made on 3/32" mandrels.
I dip them in for a duration of 5-6 minutes, bobbing the strand up and down a couple of times every minute. Then I rinse the strand in warm water first and then soap them up with Dawn and rinse again.
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