Etching the inside of a glass bottle

[Slukaj]

Alright, so I need to etch the inside of one of these bottles, making it somewhere between opaque-translucent (I still want a glow to come through).

I've looked into muriatic acid (HCl), which I've heard can etch glass, but that doesn't seem to be fast enough. I can let this sit for a few days, but no more then that.

So, does anyone know of any good glass etching techniques I could use to sandblast the inside of this bottle?

 

[swift3109]

Do you need to drink out of it? I think Rustoleum makes a etched glass spray paint or something like it. It might be worth a try. It's not permanent but if your in a hurry.

 

[epilepticsquirl]

Have you thought of using etching cream? I guess you could just slather it on the inside and wash it out after 20 minutes.

 

[exoray]

If you need it done fast and cheap find someone local with a sand blaster...

 

[Atlas]

^ Was about to say that

_A

 

[Slukaj]

Problem with using a spray or cream is that the neck of the bottle is very narrow. Maybe about 1.5 cm in diameter.

Really, the best thing I could find would be some sort of viscous acid that I could just pour into the bottle and let sit.

 

[Skor]

I used the Rustoleum frosting spray last week to do some windows in my house. One thing i'll say is that it comes out in a fine mist... I'd say it would probably work fairly well even in a bottle, as if you spray it in there and shake the bottle around, it's all enclosed so it should stick to every surface in there...

As long as you have a spare bottle just in case it doesn't work, I'd suggest giving it a shot.

 

[Leigh]

I done this to Coke bottle years ago, I used a sand blaster but it kept filling up with sand.
I realised I didnt need the bottom on the bottle so I used an angle grinder (with a metal cutter disc) & cut the bottom off problem solved & it looked quite good.

HTH

 

[exoray]

Really, the best thing I could find would be some sort of viscous acid that I could just pour into the bottle and let sit.

1. As an individual without credentials it's going to be hard for you to find someone that will sell you the hydrofluoric acid, the preferred acid to etch glass...

2. Hydrofluoric acid, is costly if you can even find some that will sell it to you + the hazardous shipping fees will drive it up even further...

My best advise was already given, sand blast the inside, it can be done and will take about 5 minutes... As someone said it will of course fill with sand but only if you blast away full blast, take it slow and pause letting the sand fall back out and you will be fine... I have done this several times with my cheap $60 Sears sand blaster and cheap plain white silica pool sand... Total investment about $65 if you already have an air compressor...

If you insist on acid, then go to the hobby store and get 2 containers of the over the counter glass etching cream, wear safety equipment and remember the golden rule ADD ACID TO WATER not the other way around, so get a plastic container and portion out DISTILLED water water... The amount will be based on the volume of the bottle minus the volume of both etching cream bottles + 25% for good measure... Now slowly add the cream to the distilled water (remember add acid to water) mix, pour into bottle and let it do it's thing, it's now diluted so it will take longer then the instructions state... The only drawback I see to this is that the acid will bubble so you can't fill the bottle to the top or else it will overflow and etch the outside of the bottle... You might need to only etch up to the bottom of the neck, while constantly monitoring and quickly wiping any bubble over with distilled water and then etch the neck of the bottle manually with some left over etching cream...

Either way wear safety equipment and do it in a safe place, working with acid in larger volumes is not to be taken lightly...

 

[Mxlplx]

Any local hobby store (Michaels, Hobby Lobby) should have glass etching spray, liquid, products.

 

[Zlurpo]

I bet if you took etching cream and a popsicle stick or skewer with some cloth wrapped around it, you could reach all the way around the inside. Also, you might be able to mix the cream with water or alcohol to thin it down, and then shake it up so it spreads all around. It might not etch as well, but I bet if you did it 2-3 times it would work, and the cream only takes like 10 minutes to do its thing.

 

[starving4rtist]

Armour Etch makes an etching 'bath' - I'd think you could just pour this in the bottle and let it sit for a bit:
Etch Bath

 

[Jaded Monk]

I've done exactly this with exactly that product. Etch Bath.

Make or use a disposable funnel, thoroughly mix the etchant and pour it into your bottle. It will not outgas at a rate that you need to be concerned with, so long as you do not seal the bottle. You can reuse the etchant a few times, so feel free to practice.

Thomas

 

[KitSmasher]

I'm going to agree with the sand/bead blasting guys. But it might be difficult to get all surfaces of the inside of the bottle since it has a narrow neck. Worth a shot, though- and way WAY safer/easier than some kind of acid.

 

[exoray]

I'm going to agree with the sand/bead blasting guys. But it might be difficult to get all surfaces of the inside of the bottle since it has a narrow neck. Worth a shot, though- and way WAY safer/easier than some kind of acid.

A small section of rubber hose on the end of the sand blaster will give you the ability to dust the entire inside and will hold out long enough to give the bottle a once over, that is assuming you don't go hog wild with the blaster...