Acid Etching and its Connection with the Hobby Cream

Acid etching glass is sometimes referred in the same way as etching cream, but they're actually understood as different etching process. See, etching cream used for glass is a less potent or diluted form of the strong acid and its most common today with crafts and hobby projects. Etching glass with acid dates back to the early times to create decorative glass.

The acid etching technique is comprised of hydrofluoric acid and it is very dangerous which is why the popularly distributed glass etching cream is a diluted form. You could refer the diluted form as acid etching cream and the "cream" word clearly indicates that it is less potent because it has other materials mixed in. Overall, the hydrofluoric acid is used mainly in manufacturing environments for glass and metal products. These processes can also relate to industrial etching used for electronics and other manufacturing sectors.

One desirable trait and reason glass artisans like to use hydrofluoric acid is because it can carve deep into the glass. But today, the popular way to carve into glass is with sandcarving and sandblasting methods.

Now lets discuss a little about the dangers on using this acid. This dangerous hydrofluoric acid is know to penetrate through the human skin and etch your internal bones. Kind of scary, so be sure to wear proper equipment and become knowledgeable before using this chemical. Most people are scared to use it and will stay away form it.

Basically, this hazardous acid etches by eating away the exposed glass surface. Alot of acid etchings are done by dipping the stenciled glass into a tank of acid. The unexposed areas are protected with a stencil to create a pattern on the glass. This practice is less used today by glass artists and crafters, but I have still seen it used in a wide variety of manufacturing glass products.

More on Etching with Acid