japaned

[matt denison]

"japaned?" "Japanned"? Am I spelling that right?

What exactly is "Japaning"? Is it just a sort of paint or a process? Is it something a clever guy can do at home?

:idunno:

 

[Stophel]

"Japanning" is basically a baked enamel paint. There are various recipes for the paint itself that I have seen (essentially linseed oil and carbon black... black paint). Heat it in an oven.

I've done it myself (with modern paint). Makes a very tough paint finish.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Stophel got it right on. Only thing I could add is that it was often done in several layers or coats rather than one thick one. Made metal items fairly rust-proof and suitable for holding drinking water. Some people put small tins in fire to burn off the paint, etc. and put a finish on, referring to it as "japanned" but this is technically incorrect.

Laffindog, you coming up with a new gun finish we need to know about? :wink: :haha:

 

[Stophel]

I made an iron belt buckle last year (or maybe the year before...) and I "Japanned" it with modern black Valspar paint (I know, I usually go all out and make everything myself, and I have oil and carbon black and everything already, but I just went the easy way with this one! :grin: ) Just painted it on, let it dry, put it on a tray and put it in the oven (I don't remember how hot, maybe 350) and baked that sucker for about a half hour. Put on a couple of coats, I think. The paint gets real hard and tough.

Lots of things like buckles and small iron implements were Japanned in the 18th century. Very common. Just looks like gloss black paint.

 

[Luke MacGillie]

Free online book on japanning
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/15622

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

"japaned?" "Japanned"? Am I spelling that right?

What exactly is "Japaning"? Is it just a sort of paint or a process? Is it something a clever guy can do at home?

:idunno:

Well, here is PONTYPOOL
BLACK JAPANNING ASPHALTUM PAINT:
http://www.libertyonthehudson.com/pontypool.html

 

[matt denison]

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for. :bow:

Not to use on a gun. :grin: :rotf: