Letter 23377

How can I tarnish brass.  

+++ Hello, I am an artist and I incorporate found objects into my art work. Some of which are brass fittings, keys, etc. . I do not like the finish of the brass. Can anyone direct me to a product that I can apply to these pieces that will tarnish the brass. I asked today and found all products on how to clean. How can I tarnish brass. Thank you. Lisa Grant Lisa Grant - Dripping Springs, Texas, USA +++ Black for brass: 2oo gm cooper carbonate 1 lit ammonia / 25%/ Cold immersion! Brown for brass: 5 gm cooper sulphate 5o gm potassium permanganate 1 lit water Hot immersion(9o C)!2-5 min. Yellowishbrown to orangered for brass 100 gm cooper sulphate 5o gm sodium chlorate 1 lit water Hot immersion (9oC)! Goran Budija - Zagreb ,Croatia +++ Use liver of sulphur, can get it at art supplies stores [Adv. St. Louis Crafts Liver Of Sulphur 4 oz. bottle ]. Simon Dupay - Roseville, MN, USA

Brass Darkening Solution [link is to product info at Rockler].

Paul
Civil War Relic Preservation - West Virginia

I was to tarnish brass on my fireplace, which cannot be immersed. Any ideas?

Debbie Cohen
- Montclair, New Jersey

I wish to darken my brass frogs (about 2 feet high). They were dark when purchased but the lawn people sprayed them with fertilizer which pitted them. In trying to save them from this I covered them with tomato paste which then removed the darkness (exposing bright brass) in a spotty way. I would like to preserve them and get them back to the way they were. Wish to do this myself in the safest manner possible. I am a senior citizen.

Toba Saskor
- Pinehurst, NC USA

Hello, Toba. The safest manner possible is to hire a craftsperson who knows what they are doing. If you want to patina brass yourself you can wait for the elements, or you need to use a chemical that is powerful enough to do what you want done.

The reaction colors vary greatly depending on what reagents you use; you may be able to get some sort of green with vinegar and salt, but if you want brown-black you'll probably have to use the homebrew recipes offered by Mr. Budija, or the commercial liver of sulphur or brass darkening solutions that have already been suggested. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

I have a pair of solid brass dog tags with an engraved logo. The logo engraved is black, and I got my name engraved, but I don't know how to make the engraved part look black like the rest of it.

I want to tags to look tarnished, but now that they do, you can't read my name because it is the same shade as the tarnish rather than black. Anyone know how to fix that? I really appreciate any help you can give.

Thanks,

Tracy Powell
- Tallahassee, FL ,USA