Posted by Mike Jackson on March 28, 2002
Lee LittlewoodA month or two ago, someone asked about the formula and technique for "white etch". At the time, no one really seemed to know. Recently, Dave Smith gave me the formula and gave me the thumbs up to post it as needed. In the phone conversation, he did say the mixing of the solutions is "volitile". I chuckled, then pressed on for details. Apparently when two of the chemicals and acids are mixed, there is a chance of an explosion. He told me the person that passed the formula to him had blown it up a couple of times (like an 8ft explosion of hydroflouric acid). Ouch!
I was contemplating trying the process until I heard that story...thinking of how the local news would jump all over it if I caused an explosion in my residential neighborhood. Yikes! I might still consider posting the process if I took the time to create one of the "Jackass" skull, crossbones, and crutches icons.
Mike Jackson
There was a long, interesting post in this listserve on the subject of White Acid – it was from Steve Carter on August 14, 19102 at 18:24:13: I'd like to see Dave Smith's take on it, including safety tips. All the stories about hydroflouric make it sound really hideous if it gets on you.