Calling all you enclosure faceplate etchers out there!!!

[Govmnt_Lacky]

I am interested in attempting a faceplate etch for a project. I only have one enclosure for this project and I do not want to screw it up 

So... I am wondering if any of you that have done face plate etching can recommend some good techniques for getting good results. I can only assume that since the aluminum is too thin to dip in FeCl that there is an alternative method for performing the etch (sponge??)

Any help or knowledge is appreciated 

For info... I plan on using PnP blue for the transfer and FeCl for the etch.

[John Lyons]

Use a Q-tip and dip it in your etchant.
Lightly dab and swirl around. Keep fresh
etchant on the plate and keep dabing and moving the
spent etchant around, replacing with fresh.

If you decide to dunk the plate in a bath do not forget to
spray the back with paint or you'll etch the back.

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Thanks John!

Cannot argue with YOUR recommendation based on the work that you do!! 

[John Lyons]

Rinse the plate off every now and then to check the depth of the etch
and too flush off any scale and build up. You can also check for pin holes
and fix them before etching further.

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Thanks again for the tips John!

One other question:

What do you recommend to use as an adhesive to bond the etched faceplate to the enclosure? Want to keep it clean and free from screws 

[therecordingart]

Thanks again for the tips John!

One other question:

What do you recommend to use as an adhesive to bond the etched faceplate to the enclosure? Want to keep it clean and free from screws 

The few I've done haven't used adhesive. The nuts for the pots and bypass switch held down the plate. I'm assuming some sort of contact cement would be what you want.

[garcho]

Don't let it get too hot, rinse in cold water often, if you're dunking it

[davent]

I've used this double sided tape (along with the pots and jacks) to hold a faceplate on an amp. It's very thin but extremely strong.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=56667&cat=1,110,43466

dave

[Muthauzem]

Can someone show an example of it finished? What I'm picturing in my head is a normal metal enclosure etched but I'm not quite sure if that is exactly what you guys are talking about

[therecordingart]

[Muthauzem]

Thank you.. I got it now. It was the term "faceplate" that I wasn't fully understanding