etching beads with etchall dip 'n etch

B & B Etching Products, Inc.'s etchallŽ dip 'n etch is a re-usable glass etching liquid with the consistency of water that allows you to dip any glass bead. etchallŽ dip 'n etch gives beads a smooth, matte, etched finish to transparent, translucent, or opaque glass beads whether they are loose, on hanks, or on string. etchallŽ dip 'n etch does not harm jewelry findings or threading, so you can safely etch glass bead earrings or other glass jewelry. etchallŽ dip 'n etch adds depth and dimension to your bead collection because it lets you create subtle color variations and gives extra richness to your beadwork. Never again will you have to search fruitlessly for a particular colored matte bead because etchallŽ dip 'n etch lets you make it yourself! Always test a few beads in the dip 'n etch solution before etching your entire supply. With etchallŽ dip 'n etch, you will have more flexibility in your bead color choices, and you can create unique pieces. etchallŽ dip 'n etch will remove some painted bead finishes. Sometimes you will even discover gorgeous colors beneath the exterior paint.

To etch your beads with etchallŽ dip 'n etch, use a small plastic container. Pour a small amount of dip 'n etch into the container, making sure you pour enough to cover the beads completely. If you want to etch only a portion of the bead, use a smaller container and a smaller amount of dip 'n etch solution. Add the beads to the dip 'n etch solution and wait a few minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure complete coverage. Remember, etchallŽ dip 'n etch will etch any glass or glazed surface, so stir with a plastic utensil, a toothpick, a bamboo skewer, or a Popsicle stick.

When your beads are etched, remove them from the dip 'n etch solution and wash them thoroughly with soap and water. You can lift the beads from the solution with a plastic utensil, or you can strain the liquid from the container. If you want to strain the dip 'n etch, use a plastic or wire tea strainer or a few layers of cheesecloth to strain the solution back into its original container. After washing the beads, dry them completely. If a white residue appears on the bead, wash the bead again with soap and water to remove any remaining solution.

Always test a few beads in the dip 'n etch solution before etching your entire supply. Begin checking beads after they have been in the solution for one minute, and continue checking each minute until you achieve the desired finish. The longer you leave the beads in the solution, the deeper and richer the etch will be. Usually, 1-5 minutes will be a sufficient length of time to etch the beads completely. You may find that partially etching a painted or coated bead produces attractive results. You can etch different colored beads at the same time.

Some painted beads will deposit their paint residue at the bottom of the etching container. Simply let the residue settle to the bottom of the container, and return the etchallŽ dip 'n etch to its original container by straining it through a nylon stocking. The residue will remain in the stocking, and the etchallŽ dip 'n etch will be clean. Rinse the paint residue from the bottom of your etching container and continue etching.

etchallŽ dip 'n etch must be stored in the 70°-90° Fahrenheit temperature range and only in its original container. If the temperature drops below 70°, crystals may form in your etchallŽ dip 'n etch. If this happens, place the closed container in a warm water bath for several minutes. Remove the container from the water, then use a plastic utensil to stir the dip until the crystals dissolve. The crystals do not affect the usability of the product. Temperatures above 90° may cause discoloration of the dip 'n etch, but this discoloration does not alter the effectiveness of the product.