People helping each other -- No AI, no cost, no reg'n, no damn popups
(As an Amazon Associate & eBay Partner we earn from qualifying purchases)

Home /
T.O.C.
Fun
FAQs
Good
Books
Ref.
Libr.
Adver-
tise
Help
Wanted
Current
Q&A's
Site 🔍
Search
finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry


  Thread 227/92

HOW TO TURN BRASS BLACK?

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.

22792

GRAHAM LEGGETT
- SUNDERLAND, TYNE AND WEAR, ENGLAND
2003
publicly reply to GRAHAM LEGGETT

A. First moisten the surface with strong vinegar in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and then suspend the part in ammonia on eBay or Amazon [affil links] 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
publicly reply to Lee Cordochorea

Brass Black Metal Finish on
birchwood_brass
on eBay
or Amazon

(affil link)

A. Van Dyke's Restorers has a product called "Brass Black" that does the trick.

Suzette Pondillo
- Horseheads, New York
publicly reply to Suzette Pondillo

A. Make a solution of sodium polysulfide by dissolving flowers of sulfur on eBay or Amazon [affil links] 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
Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
publicly reply to Trevor Crichton

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
publicly reply to Ed Kay



(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread


Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories:

Finishing
Jobshops
Capital
Equipment
Chemicals &
Consumables
Consult'g,
& Software


About/Contact  -  Privacy Policy  -  ©1995-2025 finishing.com, Pine Beach, New Jersey, USA  -  about "affil links"