Newbee needs advice

alpha 21 years ago

Hello, i have been wanting to give glass etching a try and want to creat my own designs.....i have taken a look at sand blast etching but the equipment is too expensive to think about buying for a total begginer and so i am opting for the cream option. i have taken a look on ebay and there are kits available with small stencils included however i want to create BIG designs and so want to buy the neccesary equipment seperately. i know where to buy etching cream but am unsure of the other equipment...ie what is the name of the special material you use for applying to the mirror?....contact paper???......also are certain creams only compatible with certain types of contact paper???

many thanks in advance if anyone can direct me to a source of this material in large pieces and perhaps the material you use for making your own stencils.

thanks..........A

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Mike Firth 21 years ago

Etching cream will not give you good results over a large area, you will need more control, for which you would need abrasive blasting equipment run with an air compressor and you will have to build a containment box or room to keep the stuff out of your lungs, house and neighborhood. You can buy resist liquids and sheet goods for cutting patterns and buy premade patterns and buy masks from your art work. Your useless return address does not give a clue as to where you are but

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and

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are two suppliers to the glass industry that sell equipment and materials. Do a Google search with "etching resists" or start with

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Michele Blank 21 years ago

before you decide to have a go at a new business, it may be helpful to take a lesson or do some apprentice work. What you are proposing to do is an art form, not just a technical service. There are many successful sandblast artists who have become so only through years of trial and error. This is not something one can just tell you how to do and you go off and make money at it. Do some homework! try stuff, experiment, learn it your own self! and you may realize it doesn't work the way you think.... m

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Steve Ackman 21 years ago

The headers show England... possibly somewhere not too far from Manchester.

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