Resist options?

[Philadelph]

Hey guys- are there any good options to use as an etching resist (for Damascus mainly) besides nail polish? I am trying to resist around my maker's mark in a crisp pattern/shape that's hard to get with nail polish. I have some ideas on how to further experiment with the nail polish to get crisp lines, but only if there's no better way. I am etching with a ferric chloride solution if that makes a difference. Thanks!

 

[JCaswell]

Ferric Chloride is pretty easy to resist compared with others.
You might try getting vinyl stickers cut to the shape you want at a local sign/banner shop.
Stick em where you want and etc.

 

[Ryan Minchew]

I have never messed with Ferric, but I used a hard plastic stencil in the shape I wanted and colored the area in with a sharpie. Did the trick.

 

[Rusty McDonald]

I have seen every thing from finger nail polish to asphaltum used as a resist.

 

[drlozier]

If you are doing straight lines, I have good luck with transparent scotch tape. lay it out like masking tape and add the polish, then remove the tape after the polish dries....you should have a good straight line. I have also used the tape itself as the resist...allowing the gap between multiple tape pieces to take the acid and form the line.

 

[oldwolf]

I have seen every thing from finger nail polish to asphaltum used as a resist.

Where the heck do you get asphaltum?
I tried a couple art supply stores and got blank looks.

 

[1066vik]

you might try parrafin or beeswax.

 

[galadduin]

I got some p&p papers from an electrician friend of mine. They use it to etch circuits. I didn't test those yet, but it seems they are a good alternative...

Some info on this papers:

http://cs.artjewelrymag.com/artcs/blogs/artjewelry/2008/09/30/a-tip-from-our-current-issue-use-a-stove-thermometer-to-set-your-iron-when-using-pnp-paper.aspx
http://www.glass-on-metal.com/pastart/blockout_technique-wood.htm
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/how-tuesday-glass-photo-etching-3622/

Emre

 

[drlozier]

I have had the same experience (blank stares from art stores when you ask for asphaltum). You can find asphaltum varnish suppliers on the internet. I mix it 50/50 with melted beeswax. It dries to a semihard paste that you can then spread on the blade either by reheating and painting it on or by heating the blade and rubbing it on.

 

[oldwolf]

Thanks. I kind of thought I'd have to go to the internet.