Summary for acid etching aluminum plates Discussion
Acid etching aluminum plates is the focus of this thread, where Deborah V. asks how to set up a small basement shop to make aluminum placards and data plates for old airplanes. She says the work is personal and tied to her family’s aviation background, and she is willing to travel and pay for hands-on instruction. The only reply comes from Goran Budija, who offers two aluminum etching formulas rather than a full step-by-step process. His first formula uses iron(III) chloride, copper sulphate, and water; his second uses iron(III) chloride, concentrated hydrochloric acid, water, and alcohol. He closes with a brief “Good luck!” The thread does not discuss equipment, safety, masking, or finishing details, so the practical takeaway is limited to the chemical recipes provided.
I would like to learn the acid etching process for making small aluminum placards and data plates for old airplanes, which my father and my boyfriend are often restoring. My grandfather, now deceased, was an old-time pilot flying with the Gates Flying Circus and I’ve been around old planes for most of my life, so my needs are specific to airplanes and I’m guessing this will be a labor of love. My idea is to set up a small shop in my basement but I’m not sure how to get started.
If someone would be willing to show me the process, I would gladly travel to their site and pay them for their time and trouble.
Any help, advice, suggestions, or contact information would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Deborah V.
Hobbyist – Milford, New Jersey
2004
A. Aluminum etching formulas:
1.200-400 gms iron (III) chloride
50 gms copper sulphate
1 lit water
II.2000 gms iron (III) chloride
200 ml hydrochloric acid (conc.)
1 lit water
up to 1 lit alcohol (pure)
Good luck!
Goran Budija
– Cerovski vrh Croatia