Ulf Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 Does anyone here at MCF have experience, knowledge or tips on how to patinate brass ? The parts are polished and very nice but they don't fit with the rest of my friend's big scale all metal build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunajammer Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 (edited) There are many products readily available to help with this. I use this product on almost everything I'm trying to tarnish, but there are many similar products. I got mine from a stained glass store but there are similar products at larger hobby stores that offer metal craft, glass cutting or soldering products. Some nice brass, like hinges or clasps sometimes have a clear coat protective layer which will need to be stripped off. Acetone works for that. If your friend has large pieces for cars and motorcycles, he should inquire about acids dips which I have no experience with. These are some drywall anchors I blackened for a steampunk nerf gun blaster. At full strength blackening happens immediately but it can be managed by diluting with water. These were blackened, rubbed with a cloth, then lightly buffed with fine steel wool. I built this sci-fi blaster box from scratch and all the metal pieces on this and the blaster (except for the round canister and box handle) were darkened, including screw heads and other shiny bits. The rest was model paints and stain. Edited April 19 by Lunajammer 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 (edited) Model railroaders have used various products and home-brews over the years for metal-blackening/tarnishing too...so there's another rabbit hole to search down. EDIT: I just remembered Rub 'n Buff has a color called "patina" that can be very effective creating weathered brass and copper finishes... Edited April 19 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteski Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 I guess the question is exactly what degree of weathering/patine is desired? For example is it a brass radiator which has a clean and dull (not polished) surface, or is heavy patina (discoloration) needed? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulf Posted April 21 Author Share Posted April 21 Thanks for the feedback, sorry I was a bit unclear, he probably wants to darken the brass. I think I have figured out why the parts have not darkened for him, he has turned pieces out of the good to have box and happened to take a more noble alloy. The vapors from cooked eggs apparently darken the surface. It is easy to take what is at hand when you have flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunajammer Posted April 23 Share Posted April 23 Yes, I've seen vinegar, salt and eggs darken brass and copper but to me it often seems to cover unevenly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.