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Q&As since 1989


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Colorizing brass or nickel

I need to know how I can either do it myself or if anyone can apply a color finish to brass or nickel rifle shells.

I know if they were aluminum I can anodize, but rifle shells aren't available in aluminum.

Dirk Homan
supply of specialized accessories - Las Vegas, Nevada
2003

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Copper can be patinized in the familiar colors you have seen like green-blue, old-penny brown, etc. But neither copper or nickel can be dyed in the many rich colors available for aluminum. It is not clear what you are trying to do, but don't think about performing chemical processes like this except on spent shells. These shells, possibly embrittled or weakened by chemical treatment, must never be charged again.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003

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Hello,

A translucent dyed lacquer can give your shells coloring close to the anodized aluminum colors.

Jake Koch
G. J. Nikolas &Co.,Inc.

Bellwood, Illinois

2003