How to antique brass?

[kamagong]

I just bought a new compass for a hiking trip I will soon go on. It's new, but a bit old fashioned and is made out of brass. How do I get rid of the shiny finish and quickly create a patina so that it looks like a well used tool instead of a city dweller's novelty toy?

 

[rebeltf]

Two words , Brass Black.


http://knifekits.com/store/s-pages/...m?kk_products_parts_brassblack-main.htm~smain

 

[TorzJohnson]

I just bought a new compass for a hiking trip I will soon go on. It's new, but a bit old fashioned and is made out of brass. How do I get rid of the shiny finish and quickly create a patina so that it looks like a well used tool instead of a city dweller's novelty toy?

Oh, you young whippersnappers of today. If the rest of you looks like a well used tool, then nobody will think your shiny compass is some kind of prop. They'll just think you're an old prospector who happened to buy a new compass when his old one wore out.

Or, maybe you could try lemon juice. (Edit: Doh! No, that's how to polish brass. I have no idea.)

 

[kamagong]

Oh, you young whippersnappers of today. If the rest of you looks like a well used tool, then nobody will think your shiny compass is some kind of prop.

That's part of the problem. I'm a city kid, born and raised. One look at me and any outdoorsman will quickly realize that I'm no Boy Scout.

 

[TorzJohnson]

That's part of the problem. I'm a city kid, born and raised. One look at me and any outdoorsman will quickly realize that I'm no Boy Scout.

S**** 'em, that's their problem. If you go out there and have a good time, your compass and everything else will look well-worn in no time. Those guys all started out new at one time too.

 

[Rich S]

Check out http://www.reactivemetals.com and get Baldwin's Patina
and they have another brass patinating agent that I don't recall the
name. Will patinate brass a nice brown in seconds.

Rich

 

[muskrat man]

leave it out in the weather for a couple weeks, it'll look "weathered" in no time

 

[Cougar Allen]

Cold gun blue can age brass a hundred years in seconds. It's often relabeled for the purpose but it's the same stuff, selenic acid.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Your brass compass may also be lacquered. You will have to remove the lacquer to antique it.
Bill

 

[jsurg]

I have used sulphur (the yellow stuff as used in gun powder)
Mix it with a bit of water (or egg yoke) to make it bind and bury the brass in it. (many hours)

This will give you a authentic old brass look (dont know how it will effectthe compass though) but it works well.

I used it on new bullet casing to make them look old for a project i once did.