De-rusting and etching Damascus gun barrel

Rick · 25th April 2011, 11:49 PM

Yeah, I was thinking Walnut shells .

ward · 26th April 2011, 02:26 AM

Ferricc chloride is a standard ferric sulphate, muratic,photoghraphic fixer,etc. If it were me I would try a small amount every inch or so it will be easy to compare the results. I use bee's wax to mask off items. make sure you apply your acides or salts with a cheap paint brush. Also make sure you nutralize it after. some just use soap and water afterwards. you can also use baking soda if paranoid. I would not glass bead anything unless you want to lose crisp edges and detail work.
ward

RDGAC · 5th May 2011, 12:12 PM

Just did a quick experimental etch with citric acid; pretty mild stuff, but the FeCl3 is on order now (in pellet form; didn't fancy the prospect of having to hump a 5-litre drum of liquid acid about). The result's been mixed. It's definitely resulted in a slight etch; problem is that, just as with the de-corroder, it's also dulled the surface. I'm not sure whether that's something that's inherent to the etching process, or if I'm just making a mess of it.

Hopefully, even a dulled surface can gently be polished back to life. Anyway, I'm going to proceed with a test etch using FeCl3 once I've got it and made it up to the appropriate strength. Should be good; fingers crossed!

26th April 2011, 02:26 AM	#2
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	ETCHING Ferricc chloride is a standard ferric sulphate, muratic,photoghraphic fixer,etc. If it were me I would try a small amount every inch or so it will be easy to compare the results. I use bee's wax to mask off items. make sure you apply your acides or salts with a cheap paint brush. Also make sure you nutralize it after. some just use soap and water afterwards. you can also use baking soda if paranoid. I would not glass bead anything unless you want to lose crisp edges and detail work. ward

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

25th April 2011, 11:49 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Yeah, I was thinking Walnut shells .

5th May 2011, 12:12 PM	#3
RDGAC Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: York, UK Posts: 167	Just did a quick experimental etch with citric acid; pretty mild stuff, but the FeCl3 is on order now (in pellet form; didn't fancy the prospect of having to hump a 5-litre drum of liquid acid about). The result's been mixed. It's definitely resulted in a slight etch; problem is that, just as with the de-corroder, it's also dulled the surface. I'm not sure whether that's something that's inherent to the etching process, or if I'm just making a mess of it. Hopefully, even a dulled surface can gently be polished back to life. Anyway, I'm going to proceed with a test etch using FeCl3 once I've got it and made it up to the appropriate strength. Should be good; fingers crossed!