Cold blue to blacken brass

[kyron4]

Not sure if this is common knowledge , but thought I'd share it. Working on my Kentucky rifle kit and wanted to blacking/patina the brass hardware. Most people will use BC Brass Black and it looks to work as intended. I have used and use BC Super Blue cold bluing solution. I scuff the brass with 320 grit or a scotch brite pad, clean with acetone, alcohol, etc. and apply with a q-tip or cotton ball. It turns a dull even black in about 30-45 sec. Rinse in cold water and pat dry with a clean cloth. I apply a coat of Johnson's paste wax to protect the finish. The best part is most of us probably have a bottle of cold blue already, if not it can be bought locally about everywhere, unlike brass black .

 

[deerstalkert]

it wears on edges quickly. but it can be used to give an antique patina to brass if rubbed back.

 

[Col. Batguano]

I've used it to darken engraving cut outs. It seems to work every bit as well as brass black for that purpose.

 

[Gkarp429]

Brass black wears off fairly quickly without additional protection. Especially on surfaces that receive regular wear. But I have been happy with the tarnished look left after the BC product has started wearing off.

 

[Gkarp429]

Used BC brass black on all the brass parts last summer. I like the way it’s wearing. Looks kinda fake if your looking for pristine wearing, but it’s on a production pistol, right?