Feric Chloride Dilute?

[Terry McMaster]

Just picked up two pints of FC at Radio Shack. If using this on 1084 and 15N20 Damascus, do you dilute? I can't tell from the label what the strength is. I know the stuff in Bruce Bumps jar doesn't look as dark as the stuff I got , so jump in here Bruce and fill me in. Thanks Guys. Terry

 

[burke531]

I am using mine at 4:1 water to ferric. This works really well for me and seems to be a standard dillution.

 

[Terry McMaster]

Thanks Bill, I seem to recall Bruce Bump saying something about the ratio, but he said alot in our brief time together and I guess that didn't stick. Thnanks again for the quick response. T

 

[Laredo7mm]

I have used it at 3 to 1 before. Now I use it at 7 to 1. It does a slower etch but works nice on 1095 and 15n20. I would suggest using distilled water when mixing your solution (thanks fitzo for that tip).

That is why I am using 7 to one. I bought a gallon of distilled water, poured out two cups of it and dumped in the pint of ferric from Radio shack. Works good.

 

[Bruce Bump]

Terry, Like the others have said 4 to 1 even as thin as 7 to 1 is the nicest looking etch. I used to try to speed up the process and use about 1 to 1 ratio. It leaves pits in the weld lines. The thinner mix takes alot more time but it is worth the extra effort and time spent.