when electro-etching what's normal?

[cedar_fluteman]

When etching a logo on metal is it better to use higher voltage for a short time or lower voltage for a longer time. What can you do to eliminate the black cloud that ends up around the logo? Just cain't get it to look sharp plus the cloud on it don't help. By the time I buff off the cloud the logo gets to distorted to much. I am using an adjustable transformer to power the etcher (so I can pick what voltage I want) the rest of it is the etcher plans floating around on the site. Using 440-c and using etching fluid for stainless.

[Ray Rogers]

"Black cloud"? At most, you should have a thin bit of brownish discoloration which is easily removed with Semi-Chrome polish. If you have black discoloration that is hard to remove, my guess is that your etcher (the felt part carrying the solution) is touching metal outside the logo area.

Tape the logo to the blade. Make sure than the area around the logo is completely covered with tape so that no part of the etcher can touch steel. Apply the etcher for 20 seconds in 5 second intervals (lift etcher every 5 seconds). Most etchers use 6 volts for DC and 12 for AC, or 12 DC and 25 AC. Any more than that will be real trouble. I'm not sure of the amperage, but it should be very low, probably 1 amp or less. If you are sure that the etcher isn't touching the blade, then your problem should be that you have too much power....

[cedar_fluteman]

my stencil is taped down and felt is not touching metal. The black cloud is more a dark gray but I have been using it with the voltage in the range of 20-25vdc to go along with the 25v transformer used in the plans. Also my felt pad is just damp. Thinking the fluid is going through stencil to the metal and spreading out under the stencil and discoloring it.

[Carey Quinn]

I've had similar problems with my etching andhave pretty much decided that my "damp" is too wet. Gonna mess with it some more.

[Terry_Dodson]

i used to get that black cloud, i was told to blot my felt pad tile it didnt leave any water on a shop towel, since doing that my black cloud has pretty much went away. by the way, i was using table salt dissolved in water as my stchant on carbon steels.