[sdiy] Plexiglass panels

[KHeck73 at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/5/2005 10:50:48 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
harrybissell at prodigy.net writes:

There IS  an etchant that can be used on aluminum. It is not ferric
chloride.
My  mother made some etched aluminum trays when I was a child. She's 75
now and  I dare not rely on her memory for the chemical process   :^P



..
I can't vouch for it's effectiveness in producing quality panel etchings,  
but a sodium hydroxide (Lye) solution in water will etch aluminum. It  will 
covert the aluminum to a black aluminum hydroxide "smut".  It will stain if left 
to dry on aluminum metal. Note: in case you don't  know what Lye is: it's 
nasty! "Dra...no". In solid form, it reacts  violently with water, producing enough 
heat to burn skin (reacts with the water  in your skin!). So, if mixing or 
trying a solution diluted in  water, wear eye protection and latex gloves. Also, 
don't spill it on  anything you care about, don't drink it, keep it away from 
small children, pets,  etc. OK to put down the drain after dilution...it will 
help the flow!
 
-Karl.
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