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How to get Pitted Black iron texture

Hi I need to create a heavily pitted effect on black iron pipe for a display. I know how to create rust but not so certain on how to create the heavy pitting texture. Any ideas?

Kevin Smith
creative carpenter - Brooklyn, New York, USA
January 7, 2011

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Chemical etching or texturing will produce any grain you want up to 1/64" deep or more.
G. Marrufo

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
January 12, 2011

Any Recipes for texturing or pitting of the Black Iron?

Kevin Smith
- NY, NY, USA
January 14, 2011

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It is not a simple straight forward procedure nor a recipe, you will need to get acquainted with the art of engraving with chemicals (acid etching). A brief googling will render thousands of valuable pages. Good luck
G. Marrufo

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
First of two simultaneous responses -- January 17, 2011

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Diluted hydrochloric acid must be ok,salty water probably too.Connect object to positive pole and piece of iron sheet to negative,current density depends on size of object.
Hope it helps and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
Second of two simultaneous responses -- January 18, 2011

If you are going to venture into acid etching on your own, I would advise you to try it on some scrap pieces first before you try it on your workpiece.

Jim Schwartzmyer
- North Tonawanda, New York, USA
January 18, 2011