Stonewash Help

[Harley Boatman]

Hey guys!

All the blades I've stonewashed before I've used removable scales, so I was able to etch and stonewash after the handles were shaped. This time, I'm using pins with dymalux laminate scales. I've stonewashed the blade and done the glue up, and I've got the scaled rough shaped. Once I finish up the scales I plan on re-etching the tang and taking some 800 grit paper to it to get the stonewash look (less the stones)

Since it's wood scales I figure etching the tang will have to be a careful process so the wood doesn't soak up the etchant and compromise the tang. Is putting nail polish over the scales and using a q-tip to apply etchant my best bet?

Here's some pictures to show the blade's stonewash and the tang where I've ground off the stonewash. (hopefully- I haven't posted photos since the update)

<--Stonewashed blade and scales in progress

<--Tang without stonewash

 

[SBuzek]

Too late for this one but use dummy pins and a tiny drop of CA on each scale. Totally shape and finish the scales, then pop them off and do you stone wash. Reassemble with epoxy and then just finish around the pins.

 

[Harley Boatman]

Too late for this one but use dummy pins and a tiny drop of CA on each scale. Totally shape and finish the scales, then pop them off and do you stone wash. Reassemble with epoxy and then just finish around the pins.

What kind of glue would you recommend? The glues I've used don't hold anything together

 

[SBuzek]

Just a drop of Super glue on each end of the scale should hold it in place for shaping.

 

[12345678910]

I think your grit scratches are far too coarse for stone wash to work.