Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Aluminum design etching

As a 9th grader many, many years ago, I made an aluminum tray for my Mother. I painted a design on the tray with some sort of black paint. I then added an etching solution (perhaps muriatic acid [affil links] ), let it stand for some time, poured it off, and then cleaned the paint off to leave a nice etched aluminum tray. Can someone help by filling in some of the more important details like: type of paint, type of etching solution, how long to leave the solution on the tray, and how to clean the paint off of the aluminum. My son would like to make a similar tray for his Mom, and I really can't supply the necessary details.

John Young
- Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
2002

I also did this kind of aluminum etching on trays and want to teach my grandchildren..I would like to know where to get the supplies and directions

Buddie Grat
- Lafayette, Louisiana
2007