I bought a bottle of Etch-all

[Lyssa]

I just bought a new bottle of the Etch-All Dip-N-Etch from Ben Franklin's.

Is a new bottle of Dip-N-Etch supposed to be dark brown/almost black and kinda chunky inside, on the bottom? Or is it bad and I have to figure out where I put the receipt to return it.

[Jayne]

I use Etch Bath and it's dark brown. Maybe yours was sitting on the shelf and settled. Try shaking it (make sure the top is secure!) and then try it out on a wonky bead to see if it works. I have a large container of it, but transfer some into a smaller plastic jar for ease of use, one with a large mouth that a plastic spoon will fit into. It's easier to fish the beads out that way.

[houptdavid]

From... http://www.etchallstore.com/etch_beads.htm


etchall® dip 'n etch must be stored in the 70°-90° Fahrenheit temperature range and only in its original container. If the temperature drops below 70°, crystals may form in your etchall® dip 'n etch. If this happens, place the closed container in a warm water bath for several minutes. Remove the container from the water, then use a plastic utensil to stir the dip until the crystals dissolve. The crystals do not affect the usability of the product. Temperatures above 90° may cause discoloration of the dip 'n etch, but this discoloration does not alter the effectiveness of the product.

[simvet02]

That's all great to know David, thanks.

[RSimmons]

The crystals are ammonium fluoride. Other good considerations are (1) don't store it near food or glassware and (2) keep the bottle in a Ziplock freezer bag. The container will outgas after you open it and you'll find that any glassware in the cabinet will be frosted. Fluorine compounds are toxic as well so you don't want this stuff around your food. Don't etch in the kitchen.

Robert

[Ravenesque]

I have some that has chunks, I put the bottle into warm water before using because the crystals ate chunks out of my beads. But for mine it takes awhile, I have to soak the bottle in warm water, shake, soak some more, still doesn't get it all really.

First bottle I've had with the crystal chunks, it's pretty annoying lol. The woman I ordered from said it was an older bottle for whatever it's worth.

[Lyssa]

Considering where I live, I highly doubt that bottle has ever been in temperatures colder than 70. LOL

But, even if it has, I read the instructions and I did soak the bottle in warm water before using it. I still had chunks. They don't feel like "crystals", and they look more like flakes. Is that the same thing?

[Lorraine Chandler]

I have to stir mine slowly like organic nut
butter. About 10 minutes until it is all finally mixed well. Then it works great and I etch my beads 104 coe for only about 1 minute, two at the most for a soft velvety finish.

Mine is brown liquid on top and putty sludge in the bottom, grey brown cream consistancy when mixed well, and it is stored in the garage where we get 20 degrees in the winter and 120 in the summer. Still works great for me.

[Lyssa]

Thanks Lorraine. That description sounds just like mine!

Originally Posted by Lorraine Chandler

I have to stir mine slowly like organic nut nutter. About 10 minutes until it is all finally mixed well. Then it works great and I etch my beads 104 coe for only about 1 minute, two at the most for a soft velvety finish.

Mine is brown liquid on top and putty sludge in the bottom, grey brown cream consistancy when mixed well, and it is stored in the garage where we get 20 degrees in the winter and 120 in the summer. Still works great for me.

[acmegirl]

I've found chunks on the bottom of my bottle but it's because I've forgotten to take my beads out (they were nearly disintegrated)

[Lyssa]

LOL

Originally Posted by acmegirl

I've found chunks on the bottom of my bottle but it's because I've forgotten to take my beads out (they were nearly disintegrated)

[Ravenesque]

lol Beth!
I put beads in mine before so it would mix better, duh!

Lyssa yeah mine are more flakes than chunks, but they can be big flakes. I say it's also due to being old, I've gone through a lot of bottles (before lampworking) and none had this issue, but she did say it was old when I bought it.
Either way sitting it in warm water helps it out for me.

[tammydownunder]

Originally Posted by RSimmons

The crystals are ammonium fluoride. Other good considerations are (1) don't store it near food or glassware and (2) keep the bottle in a Ziplock freezer bag. The container will outgas after you open it and you'll find that any glassware in the cabinet will be frosted. Fluorine compounds are toxic as well so you don't want this stuff around your food. Don't etch in the kitchen.

Robert

Listen to what Robert has to say. I used to keep my etch all in the kitchen on the top shelf of my dish cupboard. It took me a while to work out what had happened to the glass I had next to the unprotected bottle.

[LampworkbyLori]

When I first started making beads and bought a bottle of Etch-All, the first thing I did was post to make sure it hadn't gone bad, lol.