Acid washing

[upnorth]

Has anyone here acid washed their stainless pocket clips to dull them ? Did it lower the eye catching factor ? If so, can you please tell me about the process. Thanks.

 

[Jens Schuetz]

I electro etched mine. Acid didnt do anything on this highly glossy stainless steel.
If you have a car battery charger clip one electrode to the clip. Connect a salt water soaked q-tip to the other electrode and rub it over the surface until you achieve the desired look.

I zapped the screw heads as well.

 

[upnorth]

Fascinating, thanks. :thumbup: I have a charger, what power setting did you use ? Pos. on the clip I guess, what happens to the neg clip ? I have performed a lot of electrolysis with used cell phone chargers etc, to clean old axe heads or coins, while metal detecting.

 

[havok_2000]

PCB etchant solution (Ferric Chloride) - and 15 minutes of waiting
Just polish the clip with sandpaper (I used 400-800-1200), degrease it - and dip into the FC. After some time take it out, wash in cold water - and if you want it to be more tacticool or dark - dip it again in Ferric Chloride. After all - wash with water, apply some motor or gun oil - and leave it for a day. You'll have a nice dark clip.
Also you can use nail lacquer and thin brush or a toothpick to draw anything on the clip - the area protected by it will stay unetched, so you can customize your knife.
Hope it helps

 

[ourgon]

After acid stonewash. Ferric chloride.

 

[upnorth]

Thank you gentlemen, your efforts are appreciated. :thumbup:

 

[tisoihardcore]

question about acid washing, can you acid wash liner lock? thanks