Finishing pedal enclosures

[jugglindan]

All my recent builds have used acrylic lacquer spray cans and waterslide decals. While this works, I want to try something different. My favourite enclosure so far is the polished metal phase 45, so I am thinking of trying an etched enclosure. Not sure yet which type of chemical process to use.

[jugglindan]

Also this for a slower caustic soda etch:

[Simon Barden]

Will you be inviting people up to see them?

[jugglindan]

Sure. Although some are a little daring

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[JohnH]

Ah, cool! Ferric is good, but be prepared for everything you own to turn yellow lol.

We did a bit of aluminium etching using copper sulphate, which is cheap and easy but the etching process is pretty hectic - lots of spitting and fizzing

[jugglindan]

Ah, cool! Ferric is good, but be prepared for everything you own to turn yellow lol.

We did a bit of aluminium etching using copper sulphate, which is cheap and easy but the etching process is pretty hectic - lots of spitting and fizzing

I am leaning towards the caustic soda method at the moment, slower but less discolouration. I have some old aluminium plate to experiment with.

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[ThatCluelessGerman]

I used Iron III Sulphate to etch many parts for my second guitar build. It worked very well, although it can be a bit tricky if you have thick and thin elements in the same design. The bigger elements get etched much faster and also raise the temperature which results in even faster etching.
Also better etch when temperatures are low, like in the morning or on rainy days. I prefer longer etching times (10-15 minutes) so I have more control. If the solution is too warm, 30 seconds can make or break a design. Get a sheet of scrap aluminium to practice first.

[JohnH]

I am leaning towards the caustic soda method at the moment, slower but less discolouration. I have some old aluminium plate to experiment with.

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Good call. Less mess, and slow is usually better when the etching itself is the artwork as you have more control.

[jugglindan]

Great advice, thanks. Middle of winter here, so cool days are not a problem

Your guitar is amazing. I will be happy with something much less artistic.

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[ThatCluelessGerman]

Thanks, I got it as a factory second as it has a huge crack in the veneer. Still turned out pretty decent and it actually sounds pretty good. I wanted to take some better photos but was too lazy so far...

How do you transfer the design to the enclosure? I am using toner transfer with an old (but professional) laminator that can go up to 160°C, that works very well for flat sheets of metal.

I guess a hot iron could work for an enclosure, or maybe an old heat press (for transferring t-shirt designs)?

Otherwise, you could of course also stencil the resist on with spray paint, or maybe try a vinyl cut?