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Step 5Etching
I use the sponge method of etching. It's not really that difficult, and is much faster than tank etching. It also has the nice benefit of allowing you to etch one side at a time. You'll want to use a utility sink, and a tub.
Before you do anything, put on your safety glasses and gloves.
Soak your sponge with water. Then squeeze it out. Do that four times. Then, put your sponge into the tub, and pour about a tablespoon of ferric chloride into it. Begin to wipe the board with the sponge. Don't scrub, just wipe. The copper should start disappearing very quickly. Keep going until you have etched a satisfactory portion of your board. Then rinse the board under running water until all the ferric chloride is gone. Wash out the sponge, making sure to use lots of water. Such a small amount of ferric chloride diluted with so much water is OK to put down your drain. Get rid of your gloves, or wash them off and reuse them if you like.
Before you do anything, put on your safety glasses and gloves.
Soak your sponge with water. Then squeeze it out. Do that four times. Then, put your sponge into the tub, and pour about a tablespoon of ferric chloride into it. Begin to wipe the board with the sponge. Don't scrub, just wipe. The copper should start disappearing very quickly. Keep going until you have etched a satisfactory portion of your board. Then rinse the board under running water until all the ferric chloride is gone. Wash out the sponge, making sure to use lots of water. Such a small amount of ferric chloride diluted with so much water is OK to put down your drain. Get rid of your gloves, or wash them off and reuse them if you like.
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Ferric chloride is safe enough for disposal,such that is is, but be advised that the copper that gets etched into the solution is quite nasty. Even in trace amounts, it is poisonous to fish, and possibly other aquatic wildlife. There is an excellent instructable on the site that describes etching with muriatic acid and peroxide that lasts a long time, is fast and clean, and lets you avoid putting copper down the sink. Search for 'a better etching solution' and you'll find it. Food for thought. Oh, and the muriatic acid/peroxide etchant is CHEAP.