etching ss san mai and electro stencil

[timos-]

I am finishing up a vtoku2 core blade with SS cladding. I etched my makers mark in the cladding and then etched the whole blade in FC to highlight the core steel. Now my makers mark turned a weird dull brown/orange color... any ideas to clean that off and re etch?

 

[WValtakis]

Is there a chance your FC is contaminated with copper? I've had copper plate out on stainless from a contaminated FC bath before.

~Chip

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

In the future, after etching your makers mark, cover it with nail polish or black sharpie. This will protect it from the GFC etching solution.

A little rub with Simichrome or other metal polish will restore your current discolored mark to bricht steel.