removing etched black junk

David Schott

David Schott

Joined
Sep 27, 2004
Messages
3,041
What is the best way to remove ALL the carbon left over after etching? I am rubbing like crazy with steel wool and windex. I am going for a very deep etch, lightliy buffed, to make a mirrored, deep, 3-d look, and I am having a heck of a time removing the junk between the lines in the damascus. Would a very light, dry buff remove it? Any type of solution?

Any tricks?
 
Tik Tock-
I do not have a buffer, so Don's advice may be worth trying.
It always seemed to me that things like sandpaper or power equipment would eat down the high layers, without polishing the valleys. Ya need something that will polish both at the same time.

The best way I've found is a trick borrowed from fine metals. Use a stiff bristled brush (I use an old toothbrush since I usually make small knives) charged with abrasive. Just a bit of water to make the abrasive stick to the brush. Fine ground pumice works great, but I have been known to just step outside and rub the brush in the dirt- it works well enough since you're just trying to remove the oxide rather than really remove metal. Work small areas at a time with very short strokes, and the bristles get down into the pattern, so as not to disturb that 3-D effect.
 
I tried this morning for a bit. A loose buff with white polish and a light touch worked just fine. I mainly wanted to remove the junk to etch deeper on the next etch. Ive got it now deep enough where the edge is micro-serrated, which is where I wanted it. It looks awesome, I think, so I am where I want to be! I also used a toothbrush with simicrome on it, which took of the brunt of it.
 
The Best way is to buff lightly with no-scratch pink compound! It is a very dry, extremely fine compound and leaves no residue. The white can sometimes be too much.
 
Tiktock,
Try looking at this from a different approach. It sounds like you are using ferric chloride to etch, which is the best etchant to get all the black junk you are trying to remove. Why not try hrdrochloric acid or nitric acid? Both acids etch well, but do not leave the black residue. Then all you will have to do is polish the etched finish.
Del
www.ealyknives.com
 
That sounds like a great idea! Now I just need to run down to the convenience store and buy a big jug of acid...Should be right next to the thumbscrews and bladed apples.... Haha just kidding...where do I get that stuff?
 
striper28 said:
The Best way is to buff lightly with no-scratch pink compound! It is a very dry, extremely fine compound and leaves no residue. The white can sometimes be too much.
Click to expand...

thats what i do and it works great for me
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top