Ageing brass

[sharpeknives]

I am working on a project from old brass. after casting and cleaning I now have new brass. How do I get that old patina back on the brass. I need it to tarnish that dark color

 

[Bill Burke]

There are many ways but the easiest no hassel way is to order some antique patina from www.reactivemetals.com and just spray it on let it set for a minute and rinse it off.

 

[Phil Dwyer]

Wow, that's a cool source. Thanks Bill!

 

[Los Angeles]

You might think I'm joking but all you need to get a great patina on brass is your own urine, a little technique and time.

 

[mete]

Brownells has Birchwood Casey brass browning solution. Probably available at a Cabelas, Bass Pro, etc.

 

[sharpeknives]

Thanks guys now I can get her done. Anyone know where I can get some ambition?

 

[Phil Dwyer]

Nope, but it sounds like Los Angeles told you what some folks do when they don't have any!

 

[sharpeknives]

Yea you got a point.

 

[Mike Carter Custom Knives]

I have a little tutorial on my website on how I antique brass with amonia vapors. See http://www.cartercrafts.com/antiquebrass.htm

 

[Los Angeles]

Thanks guys now I can get her done. Anyone know where I can get some ambition?

DOn't have any ambition, but I've got some beer. That'll help with my method.

 

[Los Angeles]

I have a little tutorial on my website on how I antique brass with amonia vapors. See http://www.cartercrafts.com/antiquebrass.htm

Bingo. It's the ammonia (combined with salt, from what my little brain understands) in urine that gets a similar result. Another method is to moisten a sawdust with your preferred fluid and put it in a plastic bag with your piece. The sawdust will stick, but you can get crazy blues and greens not unlike chinese bronze:

Finally, this is widely regarded as the bible of patination of non-ferrous metals:

http://www.amazon.com/Colouring-Bronzing-Patination-Metals/dp/0823007626


EDIT: one note about this book, and this is minor, is that a number of friends have tried over and over to get the red patina on copper from the recipe in this book, and nobody has succeeded. Just know that your results may vary.

 

[Jay Mulcahy]

Try some cold blue solution. Just finish the brass to the desired finish, then degrease and wipe on cold blue. When its dry, you can lightly buff out with very fine steel wool and get a nice aged color.

 

[James_Terrio]

I have a heckuva time keeping brass looking new... the aged look seems to happen real quick.

 

[skilldust]

I'm thinking about going to all ss because of the quick ageing of brass. Looks bad on my style of knives. Jerry