Wanting to "re-antique" brass

[tompehret]

I hope I've chosen the right forum for this question. My wife bought her 2 g-kids (boys) a couple of nice, matching belt buckles for Christmas. Found on an auction site from different vendors but same Made In USA out-of-business maker. (That's a sadness to discuss another time.) Anyhow, they're solid brass. The raised design is kind of bright & I intend to polish that up. The recesses are dark, dark brown. The dark stain has been lost in spots and I want to re-darken them. I was thinking of using Birchwood Casey browning solution but have never used it on brass, just muzzle-loader barrels. Anyone ever use the B-C solution on brass? Any other suggestions for darkening or "anodizing" brass? Thanks.

 

[diamonback68]

I'm not sure that will work. I believe they will only work on steel metal. Someone else may know here.

 

[Smith357]

It has been many years ago, and my memory may be a mile off. But I vaguely remember cold blue solution turning the brass on my long rifle brown. But then I've been known to be wrong more often than not.

 

[H Richard]

Someone told me once that ammonia will turn brass the antique color.

 

[Bruce51]

Yes cold blue will darken brass instantly.

Another trick is to heat brass with a torch or in the oven for an overall darker patina.

If you degrease after that you can seal the metal with some lacquer.

BLM

 

[Bekeart]

The buckles my have a clear coating over the brass.

The dark finish may not have been patina. Might just be paint.

Google: antiquing brass - several discussions. Most involve ammonia or vinegar.

I knew a company that aged new copper gutters by wiping the copper with linseed oil. Gave nice brown finish. Brass contains some copper.

 

[tompehret]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try some.

 

[Abbynormal]

Use a mild acid of some sort. Lemon juice, tomato juice etc. That way you can control the "aging process". Diluted bleach may also work.
I'd stay away from ammonia as it will cause brass to become hard and the high spots that you polished may chip easily rather than dent.

Soaking in water for a few days will cause verdigris (green corrosion) to occur.

 

[Kinman]

Birchwood Casey makes a Brass Black formula, I have used to with much success on brass articles I want darkened or "aged" like a new brass belt buckle on a bullet pouch. You can fool around with it on other stuff where the browned or bronzed look has be polished or brightened with wear but it takes alot of patience and rubbing or blending in. Oddly I have noticed on items I use shooting blackpowder with the residue on my fingers from shooting darkens them quite nicely, including the brass ferrule on the end of the ramrod, it is nearly black and doesn't rub off.

 

[BigBoy99]

Ammonia will Cause Problems

Someone told me once that ammonia will turn brass the antique color.

Ammonia will turn brass dark and depending upon the concentration will even turn it black. However, in doing so it will cause micro-cracking in the brass. The process is called season cracking or stress-corrosion cracking. Once these cracks form, the ability of the metal to carry a load is greatly reduced. The is especially true on any brass component which will have tension applied to it. That is why ammonia should be kept far away from any black powder firearm with a brass frame.