Learn How to Etch Copper with Saltwater

[@davek5777]

A good, instructional video on how to etch with salt water using low-current electricity. I've been etching (brass) with my little side-venture business for about 7 years now. I've learned a lot through trial and error. I've made a few suggestions to you (and the audience) below that you may want to consider. Some of my personal techniques may not be the best suggestion for your product, but included some things I've found over time that works for my products. From one professional etcher to another, I hope my insight helps! FYI - your etch may come out a bit better if instead of using "tap" water, you use distilled water. Tap water contains chlorine and other undesirables when etching. Personally, I've found that the "more pure" the water (as much H2O possible without "additives" from tap or even well water), the better and cleaner the etch. Also, always use Kosher salt (as you are)... the reason being is because it is a purest form of salt (NaCl) you can get. Other table salts will not be as "pure" and have their negative effects on the etch as well. The copper cleaner you use is a good idea prior to mark-up and etching - I'll try that on my work. I typically just do an Acetone (nail polish remover) wipe down to remove any oils that may prohibit a successful etch. Also, and not trying to be nit-picky here, any oils from your fingers will act as a resist as well. So, I sometimes use gloves when handling smaller bits of brass. If you want to, consider using a trickle charge battery charger (used to charge a car battery slowly - like, overnight) instead of the lantern battery. You just set the pos and neg feeds the same way you do and plug it in (i plug mine into a timer). Then you won't be going trough a bunch of DC batteries. Another thing - when I'm cleaning off my final product, I typically do not use sandpaper as sand (rock) is harder than copper/brass and it could gouge the metal. If you use a brass wire wheel on a drill press or even a brass-bristled brush, it will not scratch the surface of the product as it is the same hardness as the product itself (brass-to-brass is about equivalent to copper-to-brass). I also use an extra fine grade steel wool to do a final touch up to the items I make.

[@FireMountainGems]

Thanks for watching and sharing some of your own techniques with everyone! 😊

[@davek5777]

@@FireMountainGems it was my pleasure, dear. I hope your etch business is busy and you are healthy and happy. :) blessings!

[@LL-ex1gp]

Thank you so much for the tips! ❤

[@davek5777]

@@LL-ex1gp my pleasure.. And i hope it helps. Still in-line with what the video illustrates, but added a few things learned over time..

[@Nomad_Paws]

Thank you for taking the time to create and share this tutorial! i think i will try it today!

[@FireMountainGems]

Good luck! Thanks for watching! 😊

[@lianefehrle9921]

Oh my gosh!!! No way?!!! I am amazed by this.

[@kristenbingel4648]

It would be nice if you include a list of everything you used... Like the abrasive and whatnot.

[@FireMountainGems]

We appreciate the feedback! We will pass this on to the team for future videos. Thanks for watching!

[@SheheSieraad]

Hi❤🎉 is it also for brass etching?

[@FireMountainGems]

Hello! This technique works specifically for copper. We have not had any experience trying this technique with brass. Brass can be a combination of elements, so it may react different to the solution than copper.

[@BonMooney]

what if you want to etch a peice that doesnt have a hole for a hook?

[@williamsoland3242]

What do I do with the copper residue at the bottom of the container when it's all done? Can it be dumped in a normal trashcan?

[@FireMountainGems]

Hello, it is recommended to put the residue in a closed bag and contact your local hazardous waste disposal company for disposal locations and regulations.

[@leaembree9567]

This is amazing! I have ever heard of this.

[@user-yp7vf5lo8h]

Very helpful video. Can you use this on sterling silver?

[@FireMountainGems]

This technique does not work on sterling silver.

[@shirleymalar304]

I have to try this!

[@applecab123]

Thank you for the great video 👍🙂

[@FireMountainGems]

Thank you for watching! 😊

[@AVBNOW23]

Excellent teacher ❤

[@FireMountainGems]

Patti is a great teacher!

[@tammiehonican76]

Love this video! The possibility possibilities are endless! Thanks for the videos!

[@samw1150]

Hi! I followed all your steps to a T. My solution is not bubbling no matter what I do. Tried different batteries etc. need some help! Could it be the copper I am using? I got copper blanks online and a scrap piece of copper

[@FireMountainGems]

It could potentially be the copper. You want to make sure that you are using Kosher salt and that there is enough salt in the water. You also want to make sure that when connecting the lantern battery, you are connecting the positive lead to the end of the wire that is holding the piece you are etching and then connect the negative lead to the scrap piece of copper. You should see it start to bubble instantly, so if you don't, try adjusting the leads or the amount of salt in the water. Hope this helps. Thanks!

[@susanwood6509]

This is great - it is something something I can make.

[@FireMountainGems]

Happy creating! Thanks for watching! 😊

[@saxonsmith8819]

How long did it take for your ink to dry? I bought the same one you used and I'm having some trouble

[@FireMountainGems]

it will depend on how heavy the ink is put on. The temperature of the room could also affect the dry time slightly. It could be dry in 15-20 minutes, but you may need to wait up to an hour or more to be completely sure that it is dry.

[@golfgrrl1]

How to you finish it off and protect the patina, do you put a clear coat or a finished wax on it? Nice video, well explained mostly❤

[@FireMountainGems]

A sealant isn't necessary, but you certainly could use an artist fixative on it.

[@mult1coloured]

Some folks use Renaissance wax

[@reelgirlygamer8091]

Im working on a complicated champleve enamel piece and would LOVE to try this out (instead of piercing and sawing) what gauge metal did you use for this? Since I’m going to be enamelling, I was thinking of using 16g?

[@FireMountainGems]

It wasn't specified in the video, but we carry this copper sheet in 18, 20, 22, and 24 gauge. If you wanted to go a little thicker, then the 18 gauge should be perfect!

[@kathyangell8750]

Thank you for the great video! I am wondering if there are any cautions - do I have to use it outside? Will gases be released? How about in a large bathroom with exhaust fans?

[@FireMountainGems]

You are so welcome. No, this process can be done in your kitchen, outside, where ever is most comfortable for you. We filmed this process in our video studio and had no issues.

[@tishsmiddy71]

Thank you 😊 can’t wait to try ❤️💋

[@merrymaker1031]

since copper is a heavy metal, you can't pour the used salt solution down the sink

[@cristianebregge8004]

❤❤❤thank you a lot for your video. It was very helpful ❤❤❤

[@FireMountainGems]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@jeanwilcox3464]

Thank you

[@natalieharrison4318]

Love the process of this fun project. Thanks for sharing this cool project with me love it

[@franciskisner920]

When you removed the pieces from the solution, it looked like all the resist was gone from the book mark. If that was the case, I'm imagining that just before the resist failed, the piece had reached its deepest relief. After the resist came loose, both the high and low areas would be removed at about the same rate so the relief would not be erased but it would no longer be growing. Is this observation correct? If so, checking the pieces earlier, could the resist then be touched up with the marker before continuing? Thanks for the video.

[@FireMountainGems]

Hi Francis. Thank you for watching our video. On the bookmark that Patti used a sharpie pen, the resist doesn't fail while in the water, the resist could and did slide off as she was pulling the bookmark from the water. We recommend, if touching up a resist is needed, to always have the piece air dry for a couple hours prior to retouching. Also, sharpie pens, ink pads, fingernail polish, tape, vinyl are all resists you can use.

[@MoogieB]

Will this work with brass or bronze since they are mostly copper?

[@FireMountainGems]

We're not sure. We haven't experimented with those metals.

[@BoringDad88]

It should do most metals. Iron and steel work too. Use washing soda instead of salt.

[@MariaHernandez-lb6vm]

You explain very well. Thank you.

[@verdabehner8963]

Great video Can I order the horse stamp and the other stamp design pad from FM ? Could you pickle these items after the initial clean up after the etching process?

[@CarolynDalusky]

How do you dispose of that yucky solution when you are done?

[@FireMountainGems]

Hello, Once finished, pour remaining solution into a closed container like a milk jug and dispose of it as any household hazardous waste. Every city has a plan for this, so be sure to check with your local transfer station.

[@gjk540]

Aren't you sanding away part of your design with the sanding pad? Wouldn't steel wool work just as well but without impacting the design?

[@FireMountainGems]

Hi Janney - you could likely use either, but with a sanding pad you can control the grit strength. Thanks for watching!

[@gjk540]

@@FireMountainGems Great tutorial, BTW. Very thorough!

[@lenastiward8657]

Does the sharpie resist around the holes keep the copper wire from making a good enough contact with the piece? Where did that horse stamp come from? I am horse crazy and would appreciate that source. Thanks for the video!❤

[@FireMountainGems]

The sharpie around the hole shouldn't affect that. The horse stamp is one of Patti's personal stamps, but you can buy similar stamps online and then use the StazOn Ink just like in the video. You should be able to find StazOn at a number of online stores. Thanks for watching the video! 😊

[@lenastiward8657]

I have the Stazon and ready to try this. Just was hoping for Patti’s source on the horse stamp. I could see some writing on the wood handle but there was never a good enough shot to pick up the information. Thank you for your quick response!

[@isatis595]

How do you dispose of the saltwater that now has metal floating on it? isn't it industrial wastewater now? I bet we can not just disposed of it in the toilet or sink.

[@FireMountainGems]

Dispose of any etching water as if it were hazardous material. Your city should have a protocol for this and other things like old medicines and household cleaners. Check with your local transfer station.

[@leannbridwell1853]

Love 💕

[@avianfish8732]

Top vid

[@karenthomas2302]

Brings back 9th grade science lol tfs

[@awesomecronk7183]

I don't know much about electrolysis except that you can use it to plate copper as well. I bet you could remove a lot of the film if you used copper sulfate (blue-green root killer crystals) instead of salt and reversed the polarity at the end for ~5 minutes. I bet the bubbles that come off the negative side (hydrogen gas) would pick up the film as they form at its edges. As a plus, the surface would be VERY shiny.

[@FireMountainGems]

Interesting thought - we're not sure how it would work as it's not something we've tried, but fun to think about it. Thanks for watching!

[@nacn5506]

❤❤🌷

[@ianbottom7396]

Your video doesn’t address any potential safety and your response to Kathy Angell is incorrect. Gases are produced by electrolysis, in this case the salt (sodium chloride) will produce oxygen and chlorine, the latter being the problem as it is fairly toxic gas so this definitely needs to be done outside or in a very well ventilated area

[@sharonpragacz4768]

Was that a 6 volt battery? Yikes didn’t write it down ?

[@FireMountainGems]

Yes, it's a 6 volt battery.

[@leannbridwell1853]

Your nails are beautiful: gloves ?

[@nixonsoto4292]

Que perdida de tiempo.

[@DD-lc9jv]

Might sound like an odd question but has any one ever punched you in the mouth for the way you talk and pronounce words as an effort to make it stop?