Steel flakes after FCL dip

M

Mmacro

Joined
Jan 2, 2022
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I got this knife custom made a few years ago. After some hard use hunting and camping I thought it could use a refinish. I sanded and dipped into FCL.
I can’t find this metal “flake” pattern anywhere. Hoping someone might have some experience/explanation for this.
https://imgur.com/a/Nvh8ktN
 
Did you dilute your FCL? How high did you sand the blade grit wise? I have seen similar when the acid was too strong or a very fresh batch I just mixed up! It kinda looks galvanized.
 
Looks like far too long an etch with FC too concentrated. Re-sand with 400-800 grit, clean well, and try again in short etches. Sometimes 15 seconds looks great and sometimes it can take 15 minutes. It all depends on the steel and many variables.
Best to sneak up on it by dipping in FC for 30 seconds, rinse - check - wipe off - rinse - etch some more .... until it looks like what you want.

I like to do a quick final polish with a very fine grit - 1000 or higher. Then a fast second etch.
 
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