Frosting stones

Greetings to All Orchidians…

Not having a sandblaster at my disposal…

Do any of you have a recommendation of a chemical/product to give a
stone a frosted/matte type appearance…? I have seen a product for
doing this to glass beads…(non-acidic, too)… Looking to etch
quartz material…

Any ideas/suggetions would be appreciated…
Gary W. Bourbonais

  Do any of you have a recommendation of a chemical/product to
give a stone a frosted/matte type appearance....? I have seen a
product for doing this to glass beads....(non-acidic, too)..
Looking to etch quartz material.... 

Can’t give you a specific name, but the type of etching creams sold
for etching glass will also, though more slowly, etch quartz. And
they ARE acid based, though usually based on acid salts, rather than
the full strength acids. The acid involved in Hydrofluoric acid, and
the etching creams will either list a related fluoride salt, or the
acid itself, in some form. The creams are less dangerous to handle
than actual HF acid, but you should still use them with considerable
care.

Peter

I have seen a product for (frosting) glass beads…(non-acidic,
too)… Sounds very interesting - what would that product be Gary?

Thanks
Al Heywood

I’ve used this type of etching cream for doing a gentle etch on
glass baby food jars as part of a craft project. The kind I bought is
brand name “Armor Etch.” According to my science teacher dad, its a
type of fluoric acid (NOT hydrofluoric), which is much milder. I
didn’t find it to be particularly nasty, although I’m still careful
to use gloves, safety glasses, and good ventilation. I figure it
doesn’t pay to take unnecessary chances, and it only takes one
accident to discover why safety precautions are a good idea. :slight_smile:

The Armor Etch produces a gentle, matte surface on clear glass, not
a really a strong, white frosted look. I experimented with leaving it
on longer, but didn’t find it deepened the finish overmuch. I haven’t
tried it on anything but glass.

Suzanne
Suzanne Wade
writer/editor
Suzanne@rswade.net
http://www.rswade.net
Phone: (508) 339-7366
Fax: (928) 563-8255

Hi Al… No connection here…they just get my money every once in
awhile……

Fire Mountain has this stuff…called Dip "N " Etch… About $18
for 4oz…(if ya buy 3, the price drops to $12)…the bottle in the
catalog picture says “etch all” on it…reusable, too… They state
this to be non-acid…dip beads in for 15 minutes, will not harm
findings, etc…wash with soap and water…

Haven’t ordered any, on account of I want to etch other things than
glass…

Gary W. Bourbonais

Susanne-- Repeated applicatons (rinse between) with Armor Etch or
it’s cousins will strengthen the effect, to a degree. For what it is
worth, I have been told that Hydrofluoric acid, though it smells and
looks innocuous, penetrates the skin and keeps going, ultimately
damaging bone. Noel

 "According to my science teacher dad, its a  type of fluoric acid
(NOT hydrofluoric), which is much milder. 

g’day Suzanne

I’m sorry to have to say that your father is wrong - the subject and
materials have been discussed exhaustively here in the past.

Here is a link to some facts about Fluorides.

http://users.netconnect.com.au/~skipton/eNAMEL_hydrofluoric_acid.html

cheers
Al Heywood