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Can some of the gals who have done glass etching tell me what gloves they have used? I have some latex gloves, but my husband the chemist is telling me that because of the chemicals in it I need nitrile gloves- which means I have to wait until I can go get some- I want to etch today.
Now- the tutorial shows NO gloves at all, but recommends latex or rubber.
I pointed this out to my husband and he said "that's fine if you don't enjoy having bones in your hands"
Are you using the cream? I've done it with the cream in just basic latex gloves. I painted the cream on with the brush, let the glass sit, and then carefully rinsed. Not much cream at all actually got on the gloves. I threw the gloves away when I was done, though, just in case the cream reacted with the latex.
I did the same as phunkymama. I didn't have a problem. Maybe there would be if you were applying the cream with the gloves & not a brush or if you were doing tons of etching.
Yeah- i'm using the cream... and a brush. I didn't imagine I would get much even on the gloves (I manage to modge podge without covering myself in glue)
I did it without using the gloves and my husband had a fit, made me so nervous. Then I bought some latex gloves for the next time and he seemed OK with that (although he isn't a chemist). I am curious to see what others say!
I've never used gloves while etching either, because I'm just putting it on small pieces of the glass and never have gotten it on me. But I did think of wearing gloves the next time just because of fingerprints, but I'd use a pair of cotton gloves (not that I have any). That way I don't get fingerprints on the glass and even if I did get some of the cream on my hands, the glove should protect it enough, its a past after all not so liquidy. But again, no scientific knowledge, just crafty knowledge.
I didn't wear cloves... but I can tell you my throat is always sore after I use this stuff... I will only use it in a well ventilated area from now on... maybe even outdoors.
DH says "latex is permeable to almost everything". The cream is made of hydroflouric acid which he tells me can "dissolve almost anything" and even diluted it can be really bad. I'd imagine this is VERY dilute, but since it can eat through a layer of glass it's got to be enough to do something!
He says it's likely the etching cream is so expensive because the bottle is probably teflon coated, to keep it from disolving.
So I guess I'll wait for him to get me special gloves. I would guess that even a latex glove is better than none, but it appears most of ya'll have been okay so far, crazy risk takers
Skittl1321, what kind of gloves does your husband recommend?
He says nitrile. They are blue- when we were in Hobby Lobby the aisle with the glass etching stuff had them for not too much, just a few bucks and they are reusable, but he's gonna get some elsewhere (lab style gloves)
Okay you DO need to wear gloves while etching -Hydrofluroic acid is extremely dangerous and if you've dipped your hand in the cream washing it with water will not be sufficient to prevent damage (unlike most acids). Furthermore if you or your child get a chunk of it (probably the a dollop ~3" in diameter ) on a soft body part (i.e. something without bones) it can cause death - go to the emergency room and let them know you were working with HF, they should be able to apply Calcium Glutonate cream and provide you with an IV containing the appropriate electrolytes. I'm not sure of the dosages for the HF cream - but when we're etching in my line of work we use <10% concentrations of HF and these are the safety precautions we must take.
That said you can determine what type of gloves to wear by going to a glove chart on google. I looked up a few and for Hydrofluoric acid you should be fine with latex, vinyl, or nitrile gloves. I recommend against reusable gloves as they are more difficult to work with (loss of dexterity).
I also recommend that if you do get any cream on your glove that you replace your glove with a new pair relatively quickly (i.e. finish the bit you were blobbing on but don't start the next part until you've replaced your gloves).
As Staramaze said it is also important to do this in a well ventillated area. (Preferably outside).
Okay you DO need to wear gloves while etching -Hydrofluroic acid is extremely dangerous and if you've dipped your hand in the cream washing it with water will not be sufficient to prevent damage (unlike most acids). Furthermore if you or your child get a chunk of it (probably the a dollop ~3" in diameter ) on a soft body part (i.e. something without bones) it can cause death - go to the emergency room and let them know you were working with HF, they should be able to apply Calcium Glutonate cream and provide you with an IV containing the appropriate electrolytes. I'm not sure of the dosages for the HF cream - but when we're etching in my line of work we use <10% concentrations of HF and these are the safety precautions we must take.
That said you can determine what type of gloves to wear by going to a glove chart on google. I looked up a few and for Hydrofluoric acid you should be fine with latex, vinyl, or nitrile gloves. I recommend against reusable gloves as they are more difficult to work with (loss of dexterity).
I also recommend that if you do get any cream on your glove that you replace your glove with a new pair relatively quickly (i.e. finish the bit you were blobbing on but don't start the next part until you've replaced your gloves).
As Staramaze said it is also important to do this in a well ventillated area. (Preferably outside).
double yikes! I swear I was taught the glass etching by someone who did not have anyone wear gloves... and I have taught classes where I offered gloves... but not everyone used them. I have has this stuff totally on my hands... and like ALL OVER my hands!
Now I am all freaked out!!!
How does it cause damage... I mean WHAT does it do? I am interested about the whole "soft tissue" thing... why is that an issue... meaning what about soft tissue areas makes it more dangerous? I have never suffered a skin reaction while using the product... was I just lucky?
ok... I just read the wikipedia article (missed it before) I don't think I will ever touch this stuff again! I am amazed the warning on the label isn't stronger.
honestly, I don't even use gloves...I am just careful ;)
Unless you are soaking your hands in this stuff (definitely not good!), I am sure latex gloves would be ok. Sara (staramaze) is the one that I learned it from, and when I taught my class, I didn't use glvoes and we were all fine. Just don't leave it on your skin if it does get on it...wash it off immediately.
__________________ Vanessa--Demo since July 2006, Wife to Shannon, 8/8/03, Mom to Ryan, 11/24/06, Mom to Brandon, 7/10/08 My Blog
honestly, I don't even use gloves...I am just careful ;)
Unless you are soaking your hands in this stuff (definitely not good!), I am sure latex gloves would be ok. Sara (staramaze) is the one that I learned it from, and when I taught my class, I didn't use gloves and we were all fine. Just don't leave it on your skin if it does get on it...wash it off immediately.
I posted before reading everything...I've never had a reaction when I've gotten a tiny amount on my skin, not even an itch...I suppose I will start wearing gloves from now on, but I'm not going to freak out about it. No offense Sarah ;)
__________________ Vanessa--Demo since July 2006, Wife to Shannon, 8/8/03, Mom to Ryan, 11/24/06, Mom to Brandon, 7/10/08 My Blog
I posted before reading everything...I've never had a reaction when I've gotten a tiny amount on my skin, not even an itch...I suppose I will start wearing gloves from now on, but I'm not going to freak out about it. No offense Sarah ;)
None taken! I am a bit of an "anti chemical" nut... so I am just surprised at myself for not noticing the dangers here... I am also a bit of a hypochondriac.:cool:
I am calm now... and I should note... I never developed any of the described symptoms... except mild throat irritation ... which at the time I attributed to my Asthma and extra sensitivity to chemicals... but I seem to have no long term effects! And that class you were in was probably the last time I used the stuff.
Okay- so I actually just looked at the bottle- and I guess it does kind of warn that it's serious. The front says it can be fatal. None of my other craft supplies say that.
Next question of course, is where does one find these nitrile gloves? (Given that I'm in Canada & therefore don't have access to Hobby Lobby.)
I googled Nitrile gloves Canada and found a bunch of places that ship to canada. They are boxes of disposable gloves though, not the reusable kind- 100 gloves cost 8-12 dollars depending on which place you use. Maybe call craft stores? The reusable ones I saw in HL were like $6- so the disposable ones are an okay price.
Glass etching gloves?
