Jero wrote:I think they apply it to the top of the enclosure. If you submerge, it can quickly react and create heat/mess/etc.
I mean IMO, that's like 90% of the fun/creative process behind it. I submerge to create uniqueness in each etch. I've done it the other way and I find it incredibly boring (no offense meant others. You guys do killer work). To me, allowing the acid some reactionary grace adds to the unpredictable chaotic look of etching that I desire.
When using acids of any kind, you cannot assume you're going to be able to control the environment. Even if you dunk it in water, you're most likely not fully diffusing it. You'll need something like baking soda to do that. Acid is corrosive and will corrode unless you seal it. Meaning using a strong poly or clear that will coat it and fill in every inch of it. I think of it like a decaying cavity. If you only get part of the decay removed and seal on top, you'll still have a fucked up tooth later.
That being said, I've found methods to dunk (which is faster) that will still get me good solid lines that look like they took hours to complete as opposed to the typical 1 to 2 minutes it actually takes.
I'm not the best at it, but I certainly have got a good process down. hah