Summary for brass black Discussion
Brass black is the thread’s focus, and the question asks whether brass can be turned black without painting. Suzette Pondillo says Van Dyke’s Restorers sells a product called “Brass Black” that does the job. Another answer gives a more chemical approach: make a sodium polysulfide solution by dissolving flowers of sulfur in sodium sulfide, then brush or, preferably, soak the brass part in it. That treatment forms an adherent black copper sulfide layer. The chemical method is described as effective but unpleasant, since the solution smells very bad and can get into clothing. The thread therefore offers both a commercial product and a DIY blackening method, with the warning that the homemade solution is messy and odorous.
Q. Is there a way of turning brass black without painting it. I was told there was a product that can do this. Any help would be appreciated.
GRAHAM LEGGETT
– SUNDERLAND, TYNE AND WEAR, ENGLAND
2003
A. First moisten the surface with strong vinegar
⇦ in bulk on
or
Amazon [affil link] and then suspend the part in ammonia
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link] vapor (inside a lidded bucket with an inch or half an inch of ammonia will work) Repeat every five or ten minutes until the desired patina is at hand.
Lee Cordochorea
– Portland, Oregon
A. Van Dyke’s Restorers has a product called “Brass Black” that does the trick.
Suzette Pondillo
– Horseheads, New York
A. Make a solution of sodium polysulfide by dissolving flowers of sulfur
⇦ on
or
Amazon [affil link]
in a solution of sodium sulfide. Either paint the solution onto the part, or better still, soak the part in the solution. It will form an adherent layer of copper sulfide, which is black. The solution really stinks and gets into your clothes, so you will be all alone if you go the pub!
Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
A. Graham,
I assume you want to make the receiver of this rifle black. You might want to check on this. Some rifles were made with brass receivers and were never colored. If you do decide to color the brass make sure it is a product that will hold up to the use the rifle will get. Some newer guns with alloy receivers are painted with epoxy type paints that hold up almost as good as the bluing on the barrels and look almost the same.
Good luck,
Ed Kay
– St. Louis, Missouri
2003