Darkening Brass

[ryzman]

is there a way to darken brass?
does this technique work? anyone try it?

A. To darken brass, you must first strip any varnish on it.

Surprising, one of the most commonly available household chemical you can use to darken brass is Palmolive Dishwashing liquid. Look at the label and see if it contains sodium bisulphite and other sulphur derivatives. These are very similar to the chemicals in Liver of Sulphur.

Apply the dishwashing liquid with very little water to the bare brass and keep rubbing till you get the colour you want. This will take only a few minutes. When you get the colour you want, wash off the dish washing liquid.

 

[Shine]

I use a bottle of photography toner. Adds 5 years of tarnish instantly.

 

[LRB]

Most any cold gun blue will work also.

 

[rafterob]

Or take a nice fouling encrusted cleaning patch and wipe over it.

 

[BrownBear]

I use a bottle of photography toner. Adds 5 years of tarnish instantly.

I've never heard of that, but the selenium in toner should be interesting. That's what you're talking about, right? I've got several bottles rattling around somewhere.

I've always used fouled patches, but that's lots slower acting.

 

[Fishhog]

Easy off oven cleaner..Ray

 

[wattlebuster]

44/40 gun blue works great for me :thumbsup:

 

[LRB]

Yep, and it's instant. Brownell's Dicropan T-4 will give some brown with the black making it even more realistic.

 

[Robby]

I have never tried this, but it comes from some very experienced builders. Fuming the brass with ammonia. From what I have been told, you put a dish of ammonia in an enclosed container, hang your brass parts in the container with the lid on, keep an eye on them, and remove when desired effect is accomplished. Don't forget them, as fuming can make the brass brittle. It is suppose to give the brass a more naturally aged patina.
Robby

 

[Capt. Fred]

I do that, and use the cold blue. I like to get a few different hues going on.

 

[yeoldcraftsman]

I do what Robby does and suspend my small parts over some cheap ammonia. Works like a charm and did one the other day to a small brass thimble which I added to the tip of a powder horn. Instant southern appalchian powder horn.
Gary

 

[Fishhog]

Ammonia already in the easy off,plus you can rinse off apply more to get what you need as far as patina..Ray

 

[ryzman]

wow so there are several ways to darken brass... how dark will a cold blue be? will it look like steel blued? would you be able to tell the difference? id like to get it to match as close as possible to the blueing of my barrel.