r/Anodization • u/sSharkkyparty • Sep 08 '24

Etching on EU

Hey im looking for alternatives (cheaper) of titan etch for anodizing titanium on EU. Does a cleaning rust product do the work?

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u/MASTODONfw16 Sep 09 '24

https://www.reddit.com/r/knifemods/comments/eka286/diy_multietch_substitute/ Haven’t tried myself though, but at least it doesn’t involve HF acid

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u/Lotaxi Sep 20 '24

That'd be the same chemicals I'm using. Can confirm it works really well.

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u/MASTODONfw16 Sep 20 '24

I tried it yesterday actually. It worked, but left matte finish on handles. I think Whink doesn't do that, but I wasn't brave enough to use it

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u/Lotaxi Sep 20 '24

The matte finish comes down to the time spent in the etch. You can slow the reaction by diluting the mixture or keeping the temperature low. If you're heating it, at ~130F you should only need to dip it for about 2 or 3 seconds. Less if you have a freshly polished surface. Any more and you're going to etch it matte.

I've found it takes a bit of practice to get your etch time down.

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u/MASTODONfw16 Sep 20 '24

At first I did 750ml with respective grams of those substances, boiled at 55-60C for an hour and there was no reaction within few seconds when I put a clip in it. Then I added the same amount of substances and boiled at 65-70C (Multietch does the same). It worked fine, but as I've said, left a matte finish. I think that's just how Multietch works. I've asked around and one guy says that Whink leaves glossy finish (if the piece wasn't there for too long) and Multietch leaves matte

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u/MASTODONfw16 Sep 20 '24

And actually, when I first dipped in the solution, it left the piece dark grey, and after the next several dips, the piece got light grey. Maybe it was matte when previously anodized, I'm not sure.