Etching blade...Flitz before or after?

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
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A couple people have mentioned using Flitz to clean up a blade nicely for etching. I assume you use the Flitz, then etch, but is it the other way around, or both? Also, what's the best place to buy Flitz? Can you get it at Lowe's or that type of place?

In a related note, I was out of glass containers the last time I etched a blade, a week ago, and I used a tin can. I left the ferric chloride in it, and the next time I came downstairs (the next day, I think), there was ferric chloride EVERYWHERE. This stuff is a real mess and I think it actually ate through the can, even though it isn't a very strong acid. I was pissed.
 
I use it after I etch. I buy my flitz at automotive (autozone) stores.

I left a plastic gallon jug about half full of ferric sitting in a stainless steel bucket. The jug apparently had a pinhole leak. It ate throught the bucket and leaked all over my shop floor and ructed everything in sight. Nasty stuff.
 
Thanks, Mark. I left about 1/2 cup of it in this little can, which I left on top of the shelf on top of my workbench, so it was raining ferric chloride, literally, when I came down. The shelf is metal, but it's painted and I cleaned it up pretty good, so we'll see. Luckily I'm still getting my shop in order, so the damage was minimal, but a b*&ch to clean up. I really hate that stuff and shop rags don't soak anything up, of course!
 
I'd just use it afterwards -- I usually pick up some flitz at various fun shows. I keep my FC solution in a plastic pitcher that sits on the sill over my shop sink (big ol' sink is one of the best things to have in a shop!)
 
If I remember correctly what I read recently, the pH of the as-is etchant is somewhere down around 1 or a little below. I was surprised to find it was so very much more acidic than vinegar (pH 4.x), but it essentially precipitates out ferric hydroxide when it's first dissolved and becomes a mild HCl solution.
 
Must be a reason it comes in a plastic container. I was using a piece of pvc for my etchent and had it straped to the side of the bench with plummer's tape. Didn't think anything of the drop or two that got on the tape untill the tape got eaten threw. End of story......
 
I keep mine in a plastic lays potato chip can. Looks like a pringles can but its a lays product....what the hell is flitz?
 
blgoode said:
I keep mine in a plastic lays potato chip can. Looks like a pringles can but its a lays product....what the hell is flitz?
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Flitz is a metal polish paste that comes in a tube like tooth paste. I use it to polish a blade after etching.

Don Hanson
 
Damn it Mark....... :D :D Flitz this!

Just Jivin' old timer....
 
Doesn't Flitz have the finest abrasive grit of the three??
 
Doesn't Flitz have the finest abrasive grit of the three??

Yes, so fine in fact, that sometimes I wonder if it has any abrasive at all.

I keep my ferric in a Tupperware pan. Been using it for years and had no problems.

I left a plastic gallon jug about half full of ferric sitting in a stainless steel bucket. The jug apparently had a pinhole leak. It ate throught the bucket and leaked all over my shop floor and ructed everything in sight. Nasty stuff.

Kinda like Alien drool, huh, Mark! :D :D :D :D :D :D
 
For some reason, it always seemed like the Mothers was slower at taking off oxidation than the flitz. I may be in my head though. :rolleyes: :D I do know that it sure stinks more.
 
I keep my FC in a plastic-covered, brown glass lab jug. I get them from Lab Safety Supply, I also use the 2000ml beakers for etching.
 
Chiro75 said:
Thanks, Mark. I left about 1/2 cup of it in this little can, which I left on top of the shelf on top of my workbench, so it was raining ferric chloride, literally, when I came down. The shelf is metal, but it's painted and I cleaned it up pretty good, so we'll see. Luckily I'm still getting my shop in order, so the damage was minimal, but a b*&ch to clean up. I really hate that stuff and shop rags don't soak anything up, of course!
Click to expand...

so now we know the hard way what etching does to medal,, :D
 
jhiggins said:
I keep my FC in a plastic-covered, brown glass lab jug. I get them from Lab Safety Supply, I also use the 2000ml beakers for etching.
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Jeff the last time I got FC from them it wasn't consentrated enouph
this was 0.025%
and they said they can't get anything stiffer then that for me..??
the last stuff I got was from R/Shack for PC boards
what and where are you geting it? :confused:
 
You'd think with a degree in chemistry I would've been able to figure it out for myself, but I guess not. Dummy. It just isn't a stong acid in terms of what I've dealt with in a lab situation, so I figured the can would be no problem. In the past I've always used plastic and glass to keep it in, so I didn't even think about it. I just figured it would be shot for etching in the future, but it was just a little bit so I didn't care. I wish I would've cared!
 
Even relatively dilute it still has enough HCl to etch the concrete in the old sinks in my basement shop.

I made a vertical tank by using all PVC. Using PVC "cement" I affixed one of the PVC caps to a 14" section of 3" PVC pipe then set it in one of the PVC flanges that fit the cap perfectly. Very stable upright container. An oversize cap on the top to cover when not in use and it has lasted three years without any sign of leaking.

I did notice, though, that some of the solution I'd spilled in the sink etched the concrete pretty noticeably.
 
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