Etching / staining barrels and actions with stencils

[tuffstuff]

At work we've got vinyl cutting machines that I'm able to use for a my own stuff

I know places will do laser etching or engraving but though a something different, I wondered if I could do a stencil, wrap it around a barrel or stick it on an acton and peel out the cut out to expose the metal you want.

Then paint on bluing? Or other stain or finish into the steel to paint on the picture of your choosing.

How do you think that would work?

[Chronos]

I've seen it done on glass with an etching paste. Worked quite well.

I've etched stainless steel with cleaning paste, phosfloric acid I think.

I've also seen metals etched with acid using a wax coating then the wax is carved to expose the metal to the acid.

World be worth giving it a try on some scrap or offcuts if you have something similar

Chronos

[Xerox]

Depends on how little the stain runs and how well the mask keeps it out I guess.

With 'regular' tape and a watery wash like bluing compound I reckon it might bleed around the edges and won't give a clean line like you'd want.

With a good mask and manageable stain/etching compound I don't see why not though?

[Seconds]

I've etched stainless steel with cleaning paste, phosfloric acid I think.

On a stainless action or some other thing?

[Chronos]

On a stainless action or some other thing?

No, just on mirror finish stainless at work. Mostly just mucking around on my own foreign orders and luring company logos onto jobs in inconspicuous places

Chronos

[Broom]

I'd be keen to give something like this a go.

Got any recommendations for a paste to do this Chronos?

What's the pro product?

[Chronos]

In general the process is used to clean heat marks of stainless steel after welding, it's called pickling paste and its usually a gel highly acidic and therefore dangerous stuff. Follow the instructions.

Here's slink but there's lots of different brands available from different welding supply places like BOC

http://www.midwaymetals.com.au/avesta/f ... ing-paste/

When we did it we used bees wax, melted and the stainless dipped in to create a thin film. Then you can engrave your design through the wax exposing the metal. Then brush on the paste and leave for a number of minutes. Generally 15 -20 then wash off. Reapply if desired

When you're finished you can remove the wax. We used a heat gun to melt the wax off.

No pics unfortunately as this was a long time before iPhones.

Chronos

[Chronos]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etching

[Seik]

I'd be keen to give something like this a go.

Ditto.

I've never try engraving myself but stencils and pastes I could do.

Now just need some good ideas

[remnt]

With 'regular' tape and a watery wash like bluing compound I reckon it might bleed around the edges and won't give a clean line like you'd want.

Could work for doing some camp blends and stuff though if you're going for that effect.

[Broom]

Cheers Chronos.

[tuffstuff]

I've seen it done on glass with an etching paste. Worked quite well.

Thanks Chronos.

I'll look into the etching paste.

[tuffstuff]

With 'regular' tape and a watery wash like bluing compound I reckon it might bleed around the edges and won't give a clean line like you'd want.

I hadn't thought about wash bleeding through but I expect you're right.

Going to look into some pastes like Chronos suggested

[von_klitzing]

If you're using a vinyl style to wrap around your barrel you could do a base Cerakote color on the full barrel, then wrap it in your vinyl stencil and Cerakote another color over that?

O paint over the Cerakote?

I don't even know how to Cerakote, but would be interested in having a go one day

Saves removing steel from the barrel if that matters at all to you.

[tuffstuff]

One step at a time for me.

Etching now, Cerakote later