Can somebody explain "Photo Etched" parts?

[MercCougarXR7]

Ahm really confused aboot this topic .

What is PhotoEtched?

[flyonthewall]

Photoetched parts are parts made from sheets of metal and provide an excellent way for modelers to add extra detail to their models which can't always be done in plastic.

Photoetching is a process whereby the sheet metal is exposed to chemicals which erode or etch away the metal which has not been treated with a special resistant ink. So any metal coated in the ink remains to form a part such as a seat belt buckle or brake disc - these usually come with multiples of or other parts to form a fret as sold by Studio 27 to name one.

[modelfan1]

Photo etching (better known as chemical milling) uses acid to remove
material from a piece of metal (almost any metal can be "etched") by
using a photo sensitive lacquer covered by artwork on photo sensitive
paper (called a photo mask)you want the piece to look like. The photosensitive laquer which when exposed to ultra violet light, and developed in Sodium Hydroxide, hardens and becomes impervious to the acid. The acid is sprayed on or the item can be dipped and all the metal is eaten away by the acid except what is covered by the photo
and acid resistant lacquer

Here's a diagram that may help

[daggerlee]

OK, so how do you use it?

[hirofkd]

Originally posted by daggerlee
OK, so how do you use it?

Just glue them on with super glue or epoxy glue

Seriously, PE parts are usually substitute or additional details that can't be mass produced with plastic, such as emblems, seat belt hardware, radiator and brake disk faces etc.
Check Scale Motorsport for some examples:
http://www.scalemotorsport.com/pesets.cfm
Application is easy, but parts are usually small, so it can be lost easily. And as I mentioned before, PE needs epoxy glue, clear glue or super glue, since it's metal.

[daggerlee]

Do you need to paint them?

[flyonthewall]

Originally posted by daggerlee
Do you need to paint them?

In most cases, no as they represent real metal parts on the real thing. But with most 1/43rd kits all smaller parts are photetched pieces and require some painting so a suitable primer is required.