How to etch aluminum panel labels/designs with a reusable acid mix

Step 8 Finishing the panel

Let's finish the panel:

1.- After the paint dries, use a water sand paper with a fine grit to remove the excess paint and the toner from the panel taking care to not over doing it on the recessed parts so the paint stays there.

2.- Rinse and dry the panel and that's it for panel etching.

On picture #2 you see how the panel will look with knobs.


btw. I'd like to thank a friend, without him telling me about his experiences with the magic mix(muriatic acid+ oxigenated water) and diy PCBs I would not come up with this variation on the theme, thanks simone, aka cimo :)

Comments

[diegoeldeleon]

You can save some money using photo paper in the place of the PNP. but not any brand works. Best paper y have found for this (and for the PCBs too)
is "Apli Everyday" 180 grs/m or "Apli "Best price" 140 grs/m:
http://www.mayfairstationers.co.uk/apli-best-price-glossy-paper-p-12911.html

Some HP papers glossy are also good.

Sometimes if your print have a lot of ink area you'll need to put the panels in warm water during some minutes to remove al the paper.

[siamonsez]

Did you do anything to protect the bare metal after the whole etching process is done?

[sineSurfer]

Hi siamonsez, not really as I like the matte look, but fingerprints show up right away. You can try with clear lacquer spray, or maybe aluminum anodizing, check this link:

http://www.thefintels.com/aer/homealuminumanodizing.htm

[lumpee]

ehmbee,you might try "ring the doorbell,the dog needs the exercise"

[ckolios]

It would be great if someone did a video of the whole process

[tiltmonkey]

Am I right in thinking that for a small area I could just use the indelible ink through a stencil? This is just what I've been looking for to decorate harmonica coverplates.

[vidakk]

It should work. I have done countless PCB prototypes by drawing traces with waterproof pen on copper, and then etching.

[sineSurfer]

Don't know if the acid will go thru chrome finish(my harmonica comes with it), if yours too, I'd run a test on something else first. And remember the indelible ink will get eaten by the acid too if left for too long, just check often ;)

[28.martine]

the paint of the knobs of my stove vanisched after cleaning i think i'm going to make rings where the knobs can go over. it's a rvs realy expensive stove byed second hand so no warenty. Sorry for my poor english

[sineSurfer]

beware, if the metal is too thin the etching may get all the way thru, that would be bad.

[28.martine]

thanks I will keep that in mind. I want to do it with my dad, he is genius so it can't go wrong.

[ehmbee]

Nice 'ible!-I can think of, oh, about 150 things i can use this for right now. The applications for my cars and bikes alone are numerous. Thanks.

[sineSurfer]

cool, don't forget to show us some pictures ;)

[ehmbee]

No problem! I'm thinking that labeled light switch plates is a good start, and labeling my doorbell as a "Self Destruct Mechanism" with "DO NOT PRESS" at the bottom....should keep the salesmen away.

[teeps]

Hey, great instructable. I feel like I could go do with this without too much guess work. Thanks!