Permanently marking glass carboy for each gallon? - Page 2

**Yunus** · 12-04-2008, 02:04 PM

Amazon.com: Armour Etching Cream For Glass and Mirrors Is Safe and Easy To Use. (Lot of 2): Home & Garden

You can get it cheaper than that but if you can't find it locally... I got it at Michaels and it was $20 for a 10oz bottle. But Michaels always has a 30% off coupon in the ads every week so don't forget that.

casebrew · 12-04-2008, 03:04 PM

I picked up a doctor's office scale at auction. It weighs from zip to 350 by 1/4 pounds, and seems accurate all along. I guess it could be called a double-beam scale. Anyhow, I've weighed all my vessels, and recorded that info in my brew log. If I want to know how much of anything, I throw it on the scale. One gallon is 7.8#, I just use 8, what with the higher specific gravity of whatever I'm weighing, I'm dead on.

Tripod · 12-06-2008, 08:26 PM

Thanks, All for quelling my fears of this.

The more I research it, the more it looks like something I'd like to try. It can't possibly go deep enough to challenge the structure of the glass. On that note:

What do you recommend for making a stencil? I like the photos I've seen where people use painter's masking tape and I totally get that. That is straight forward for marking lines...but what about a logo or artwork? What I'd like to know is how people make the stencils for the detailed stuff like they give away at tastings. Or for a pint glass?

Any tips for details beyond what can be done with making tape? I thought maybe I could cover a large area of the glass with tape and then use something like an x-acto knife (-sp?) to cut away what I'd like to expose. What do you guys do?

-Tripod

LewBrew · 12-06-2008, 08:36 PM

Wax. A layer of bees wax or other soft wax is great to scratch through and then armour cream. It is great for free hand sketching. A medium density wax can be cut out as well and peeled off.

You can also make a small scale sand-blaster that works well too. Just what you need...another hobby.

Here is one of many links that can give you some ideas: Glass Etching - Glass Etching Kits

Tripod · 01-15-2009, 02:59 AM

Hello again!

Ok, I know this has been a while but I finally decided to take the plunge and do the Armour-etch method to my carboy. I'm only reviving this post in case any future boy-adventurers were curious about marking their carboy...just like me about a month ago.

It turned out really nice! I am very impressed with the outcome. It was easy to apply, easy to wash and gives my carboy a really nice "finished" look to it. Even the wifey who doesn't do beer anymore (health reasons) was really impressed with the final results. I got it at a local Michael's art/craft store for $7.50 and a set of kid's alphabet/number stickers for $1.

I am planning to brew this Friday and I'll take some photos with the wort in the carboy so the contrast is better. If anyone is interested, I'll post the pics when I'm done.

Thanks All for the tips!

-Tripod

**mattmcl** · 01-15-2009, 06:14 AM

Quote:

What do you recommend for making a stencil?

You can get an 8.5X11 stick-on label at an office supply shop. Avery makes the labels. Print out your design from your computer, and use an x-acto to cut out the stencil. The label will be a bitch to get off the carboy, but this will work.

**Homercidal** · 01-15-2009, 03:58 PM

With all of the threads warning against using glass carboys due to breakage concerns, I wonder why nobody thinks twice about etching a line on their carboy? Even a small flaw in a container like this could increase the chances of it breaking.

Tripod · 01-15-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homercidal

With all of the threads warning against using glass carboys due to breakage concerns, I wonder why nobody thinks twice about etching a line on their carboy? Even a small flaw in a container like this could increase the chances of it breaking.

I think that is only true if you actually cut into the carboy like with a dremel/wheel or sand-blasting or something along those lines.

The etching solution like I used did leave a "frosting" but if I run my fingers across it with my eyes closed, I cannot percieve any depth to it. I do feel where the etching is but the "depth" is no where near enough to compromise the physical integrity of the glass. I bet you would do more scratching by washing with a scrubby...

-Tripod

**Edcculus** · 01-15-2009, 08:21 PM

I've used glass etch before. Not for this though. I like Tripod has reported, I can't think of any possibility where this type of etch would harm the glass. Its more like a frosting. Pretty harmless stuff (I dont think I'd put it on my hand though).

In response to making a stencil:
If you can get your hands on the materials, you could always screen print the reverse image onto the carboy using regular t-shirt ink (plastisol). Then you apply the etch. After 5 min, wash off the etch and ink.

**Homercidal** · 01-15-2009, 08:29 PM

There must be some kind of paint that sticks hard and won't come off unless you put a razor to it.