Etching Metal with Salt Water

Customizing a Stainless Steel or Yeti style travel cup is easy to do with simple household items. With just a couple of batteries or a an old power supply, you can turn a boring standard cup into something to impress with your name, your logo, any design you want. This process can also be used to etch aluminum, copper and many other types of metals. It can be done to etch tools, knives or anything with a raw metal finish.

I've loved building things from a young age and I believe anyone can get out to the shop and make things. I want to inspire people to go out there and learn something new, to experience the thrill of taking a project from the moment of inspiration to a finished piece. Also, my wife has a very long honey-do list for me and I might as well make videos doing it.

Check me out on social media:

MUSIC:
Kubbi - Compass
Kubbi - Machinery
Kubbi - Cloudgazer

Episode 11 - Etching Metal with Salt Water

[sboazable]

It's nice to have a use for the orphaned power cables that I have hoarded over the last 2 decades.

[tonyk]

this is the best version I've seen thus far can't wait to try it

[gabeclarkdesign]

I'm totally doing this! Great video Nick!

[catekatz]

Dude that’s awesome! Thanks for sharing this video 🎉

[BruceAUlrich]

I can’t believe that was just salt water! It turned out great, Nick!

[cfidellmt]

That's so cool! I know J is going to want to try that!

[miketabar]

I was surprised by how quick that worked. Thanks for the idea.

[OutcastAngelV]

Dude cool video!
You're definitely going to gain tons of subscribers with this quality.
Looking forward to more.

[karlwestp]

I’ve done the batteries for a logo etch, and a battery charger for a full immersion Celtic design on an axe head, but the idea of a power adapter is a great one. “Etching” to try it!
Thanks Nick! 😉

[zacklothamer]

The best process I've seen for this is one used by lightsaber makers you cover the entire object being etched except for the pattern in vinyl tape like electrical tape and submerge it in a saltwater bath with the negative attached to that and then the positive attached to a rod or sheet of the same metal being etched and you can just connect that to a battery charger and leave it and you can get really nice clean very deep edges

[exactpause]

Very nice, high quality content you're posting. I like this video, something I'll definitely try!

[jbkibs]

that's great man. a cricut would make that so much easier. i'm definitely going to give this a go.
thank you!

[tiberiuskurisake]

Thanks for the tip friend, I would say since your already etching it it shouldn't hurt to have just put the stencil on the bottle then cut out the symbol. It would be slightly more difficult to cut do to it's roundness but you wouldn't have any transfer trouble

[MakeThings]

Nick, instant subscribe. I can't wait to make mine. I wonder if a powder coating would adhere to that new surface better. Of course, you'd have to tape off the rest of the mug, but it's a thought, right? Would be a cool project to try.

[firewamare]

Thanks! How simple it is!
i want to etch some textures on aluminum any help please...

[JohnGault]

Does this work with other metals? I have a project coming up with bronze or brass.

[deborahgonzalezknight]

will this work on super shiny stainless steel ?

[kristibrown]

I am just wondering why you use the electricity you can get the same results without it

[drey]

Awesome job! Do you know if the etching will rust? I’m thinking about doing this to a high carbon blade.

[deborahgonzalezknight]

Do you know how I could make water marks on stainless steel? I want to decorate some trays I have.