Lithography for SideWindow Etching?

[AJ@PR]

Hey guys,

I was thinking, for sidewindow etching (and lots of other etching... heck, aluminum panels, etc.)...

Why don't we do a litography-style process?
Instead of taking a dremel to it...
Do our super-fancy art work in the computer... make a printout, then use that as a mask.

Yes, yes... I know that litography isn't exactly the same as heating a Hot Pockets in the microwave... but, it's a start.

Ideas? Suggestions?

I'll do some initial research into the idea, and let you guys know what I came up with. :)

Peace
AJ

[Slug Toy]

i suppose the biggest question is how. there are chemical processes, optical processes, electrical processes... none of which are really that easy or cheap from what i know. you would probably stand a better chance at painting the design on with an inert compound, and throwing some acid on for a while. that in itself could be considered a form of lithography... primitive though.

[Zephik]

Isn't that what they do in movies for armor engravings? Throw on some pattern then pour acid over it?

-SnowFire

[Slug Toy]

it could very well be. that would be the easiest and cheapest for dealing with a lot of engraving.

[tybrenis]

It'd be kick ass if you could find a cheap way to do it, keep us posted!

EDIT: 1,000th post!

[nil8]

Isn't the same thing done with glass to make it frosted?

[Maz]

For glass its called velvet etching cream.

Do not ask me how I know these things, I just do.

[GT40_GearHead]

Isn't the same thing done with glass to make it frosted?

they also use sand blasting some times, usualy when more texture is needed

[gaz_the_chav]

It'd be kick ass if you could find a cheap way to do it, keep us posted!

EDIT: 1,000th post!

OMG Read the Rules!!!!

Only joking mate :p

-gaz :santa:

[intergalacticman]

dude, instead of etching use ink
use plastisol, its an ink for most surfaces and is somewhat 3 dimensional, creating an embossed efect. use a screen printing screen and stencil material called ambastencil and create it

[onelegout]

For glass its called velvet etching cream.

Do not ask me how I know these things, I just do.

My guess would be that you are, or know, a graffiti artist!
Lots of people who tag use glass etch in their markers to tag windows/mirrors/etc. It's frowned upon by a lot of writers like myself because if it's destructiveness - If you tag a window with (most types of) ink it can be cleaned, but if you tag it with etch it must be replaced.
glass etch CAN be used to frost glass but it's nasty stuff and hard to get right.

A far better way of going round it would be to sandblast the (stenciled) design onto the window using a sandblaster (most high schools or colleges have these in their tech departments, and they will let you use them if you ask nicely!)

I used to know a stencil graffiti writer who sandblasted a stencil of his tag onto the shiny back of his ipod and it looked SO cool and clean!

Peace
H

[Slug Toy]

they also use sand blasting some times, usualy when more texture is needed

only thing is that it creates some heat. ive seen attempts at this that ended up causing the whole sheet of glass to explode. its really weird, but it happens.

[Maz]

the trick is not to let it get pelted too long in the same spot.
keep it moving, fast.

yes I know a tagger, but the fact is that i have know idea where i learned it from.