Two Questions
- Thread starter Musketeer
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
Found these suggestions on another board:
If you will take the brass parts off the rifle and soak them for 48 hours
in a 1 to 12 parts mixture of a cleaner called "Greased Lightning" (available
from Walmart, or most auto parts stores) and water. This mixture will produce
a dull golden paterna on the brass parts that is very durable and pleasing to
the eye, without damaging the brass. Then when you want to restore the luster
to your brass, a couple of minutes with a good brass polish and the brass
will be as shinny as new.
There is also Liver of Sulphur which is instantaneous. It works so fast
when applied by a Que-Tip that you'll think it's paint. It ain't.
Obtainable through various art supply houses.
I too, like the brass on my rifles to look good during the off season but
to be dull during hunting season. The easiest way I have found to do this
is to save a couple of the yucky black cleaning patches from your last
session at the range and to give your brass a good wiping down. Instant
dull! Fairly easy to undo when you want it to look good again
Expose the brass to ammonia fumes and it will tarnish and stay tarnished
'til you polish it between seasons.
Never tried any of these myself, just what I read on another board.
NoDeer
If you will take the brass parts off the rifle and soak them for 48 hours
in a 1 to 12 parts mixture of a cleaner called "Greased Lightning" (available
from Walmart, or most auto parts stores) and water. This mixture will produce
a dull golden paterna on the brass parts that is very durable and pleasing to
the eye, without damaging the brass. Then when you want to restore the luster
to your brass, a couple of minutes with a good brass polish and the brass
will be as shinny as new.
There is also Liver of Sulphur which is instantaneous. It works so fast
when applied by a Que-Tip that you'll think it's paint. It ain't.
Obtainable through various art supply houses.
I too, like the brass on my rifles to look good during the off season but
to be dull during hunting season. The easiest way I have found to do this
is to save a couple of the yucky black cleaning patches from your last
session at the range and to give your brass a good wiping down. Instant
dull! Fairly easy to undo when you want it to look good again
Expose the brass to ammonia fumes and it will tarnish and stay tarnished
'til you polish it between seasons.
Never tried any of these myself, just what I read on another board.
NoDeer
robinghewitt
62 Cal.
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For instant tarnish I put the parts in a cardboard box with a bit of BP wrapped in a burning newspaper fuse.
Birchwood Casey Brass Black will tarnish it as dark as you want it. Best to clean it real goo first. Do not get it on fresh wood or it will turn the stock black or blue & it won't come off. I have used it several times & I finish the rifme, then carefully steel wool the brass & apply with Q'tip, then wipe off & wrok lightly with burlap or 0000 wool. (Must be carefull with the wool as you will easily end up right back where ya started.
Another way is to clean the brass well, wipe with some patches that have fouling on them that you have used to swab with using just spit to swab & load, so there is not grease or oil in it. In a week it will have a nice patina & continue as long as you don't let oiled fingers touch the brass.
Birdseye Maple is good gunstock wood & also the hardest most contrary wood I have ever worked with. It is Definately not a wood for the first time builder.. Extremely hard to keep the surface even as the birdseyes are very hard & in between softer, thus the whole dang stock will washboard Very easily. Also extremely hard to carve & shape, again because of the birdseyes. You have to cut both ways on every dang eye as it will not let your tool cut smooth straight thru......
Basically, it is a real PITA to work with & if you carve, you will most likely ever only do one of these.... :imo:
Another way is to clean the brass well, wipe with some patches that have fouling on them that you have used to swab with using just spit to swab & load, so there is not grease or oil in it. In a week it will have a nice patina & continue as long as you don't let oiled fingers touch the brass.
Birdseye Maple is good gunstock wood & also the hardest most contrary wood I have ever worked with. It is Definately not a wood for the first time builder.. Extremely hard to keep the surface even as the birdseyes are very hard & in between softer, thus the whole dang stock will washboard Very easily. Also extremely hard to carve & shape, again because of the birdseyes. You have to cut both ways on every dang eye as it will not let your tool cut smooth straight thru......
Basically, it is a real PITA to work with & if you carve, you will most likely ever only do one of these.... :imo:
Q1- I use cold blue to tarnish brass. Wipe it on, takes a few seconds and it holds up well. Black powder fouling also works. Cold blue gives a very nice color to cooper also.
Q2- Birds eye maple is an excellent wood and makes a pretty stock. I've made lots of them, you will need sharp chisels.
Q2- Birds eye maple is an excellent wood and makes a pretty stock. I've made lots of them, you will need sharp chisels.
Thanks for the info, guys. I'm gonna try the Brass Black, first, and see how it goes. As for the bird's eye, I see what ya mean, BirdDog6, that's why I asked. I have a chunk of nice bird's eye that's plenty big enough to make a good-sized full-length pistol stock out of, but I think I'll have someone else do it! :: :thumbsup:
