Anyone done acid washes?

[IAMaxxer]

Maybe a dumb question, but how do or what do you use as an applicator?

[scamihorn]

Originally Posted by IAMaxxer

Maybe a dumb question, but how do or what do you use as an applicator?

not a dumb question at all, I started using sponges, but eventually my sponges disolved. I liked the results best when I used a plastic scruber from a dollar store. (like what you would use to do dishes with)

[acidrain]

I use a bit of sponge... either natural sea sponge (which will be eaten up) or some synthetic sponge.
With gloved hands, dip the sponge, then squeeze out the excess... you don't want to drip bleach or acid where it's not wanted.

[IAMaxxer]

OK I understand the sponge application. But the hot glue/ rubber cement for a splatter job.
I have dabbled with that and just can't get the qualitly of line that I would like.I end up with very thin lines. I'm looking to get beefier lines. Thanks

[pmac2002]

so if you want an acid wash blk and red....do you

dye red then mask a portion of the red let the mask dry then bleach and dye blk then what do you do?

thanks
paul

[acidrain]

It's not a mask... it's removing some of the first color in a freeform fashion, then dying the entire part in the second color. Dye will absorb into the bare areas, but not the previously dyed areas. Make sense?

[RedRiver]

Hmmmm...........But......Dye will absorb into previously dyed areas (I know what you mean Acidrain but please allow me to elaborate on what I THINK acidrain meant, however, was obviously short on time to answer with a full, detailed expaination). If you dye the part black then dunk it into the red dye tank, your part will remain black no matter how long it stays in the red dye solution. However, if you dye your part red first and then dunk it into the black dye tank then the black will eventually dominate the red and viola - your red just will eventually turn black. I think what Acidrain meant to say (and correct me if I am wrong Acidrain, I'd hate to think that I was overstepping my boundries), is that if you dye the part in sequence of the most dominate color to the least dominate color, your colors are usually easier to control. For example, if you dye your part entirely black (most dominate color), bleach out desired areas from the black surface, rinse VERY well with water and then dunk into acid rinse before moving to your next color (red for example), the clear spots where the black dye was removed with the bleach will in turn dye red (when dropped into a red dye tank) whereas the black will remain black. Bare in mind that it is very possible and easy to "blend" colors using the same principle. This of course requires a basic understanding of color blending and how to controllably produce a third color from two or more other colors. For this I would recommend purchasing Caswell's color wheel chart. For example, blending two colors to produce a third might be achieved by dying 3/4 of a part bright yellow. Rinse with water and then turn the part around and dye the other side red. Fade the red into the yellow....You'll notice that the red and yellow will blend with eachother where overlapped in the center to produce orange. Viola, a tri color fade....

Some strategic planning of not only color sequence but fixturing is often key in producing quality results. Think of what colors you want where and how you're going to have to hold the part while dying in order to achieve your goal. Construct your fixturing to accomidate your planned method.

Now Acidrain, if I have contradicted you incorrectly...Please...Kick my backside for me...I've probably earned it.

[acidrain]

Very well said, RedRiver!

[pmac2002]

you guys rock!!

paul

[RedRiver]

Well...After all, Acidrain taught me much of what I know...Whether he realizes it or not!



Just happy that I wasn't stepping on toes!

- Dan