Makers Mark Prep & Cleanup ?

[SKIVIE]

Just experienced something with my makers mark and not quite sure what I did different to cause it.

Made 4 trout knives put my makers mark on built sheaths and aprox 3 days later went back to the knives and noticed one had quite a bit of rust (or it atleast apeared to be rust) form around and over my Makers Mark. Didnt feel like I did anything different but not sure.

Help me to understand the process a little: First theres the etchant solution then the claning solution. I have always prepared my blades with Acetone before Doing my Makers mark, marked the blade then cleaned the stencil and blade with the cleaner and sometimes cleaned the blade again with acetone.

Any thoughts on why this might have happened ? It came off ok with an acetone.

Just hate to see that happen there at the very end if ya know what I mean.

Shane

[Belstain]

Sounds like a little bit of etchant got left in the mark. If you are using ferich chloride for etching boil it in water with baking soda to nuetralize the acid after etching.

[Don Cowles]

Shane, I make it a practice to go through the following motions when I am etching the markK:

1. -etch
2. -wipe with cleaner
3. -rinse with water, being careful not to disturb the oxide deposit in the etch
4. -pat dry with paper towel
5. -let it sit for 5-10 minutes
6. -apply a coat of renaissance wax

I think you'll find that the last step will solve your problem.

[SKIVIE]

Hmmmm, I think ill give that Ren wax a try. Thanks a ton for the input.

Shane

[blgoode]

Originally Posted by Don Cowles

Shane, I make it a practice to go through the following motions when I am etching the markK:

1. -etch
2. -wipe with cleaner
3. -rinse with water, being careful not to disturb the oxide deposit in the etch
4. -pat dry with paper towel
5. -let it sit for 5-10 minutes
6. -apply a coat of renaissance wax

I think you'll find that the last step will solve your problem.

HEy Don...after the blade sits for 10 min can I steel whool the blade without eisturbing the oxide deposite in the etch?

[Don Cowles]

I've never tried it, but I confess I am curious why you would want to. The blade should be completely finished before you apply the mark....

[Drac]

I'm new to using an etcher but I been using the cleaning fluid that the knife supply houses recommend for cleaning after the etch. Than I hit the blade with a couple of passes of the sand paper I used for the final finish. It seems to sharpen the etch and the cleaner seems to help with the oxidation. I will say that I work in stainless so that might make a difference.

Jim

[blgoode]

Originally Posted by Drac

I'm new to using an etcher but I been using the cleaning fluid that the knife supply houses recommend for cleaning after the etch. Than I hit the blade with a couple of passes of the sand paper I used for the final finish. It seems to sharpen the etch and the cleaner seems to help with the oxidation. I will say that I work in stainless so that might make a difference.

Jim

Thats what I have heard but my black is comming out of the etch sometimes.