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Shiny Brass is blinding My Horse and Myself

Hello Metal Experts, My name is Linn and I live in Woodland, Calif. I recently purchased a Western Saddle with a lot of Bling Bling ... It has Shiny Brass Concho's, probably about 25 to 30 including the screws. I have never seen a saddle that has Brass like this. Usually Silver is the metal of Western Saddles! I have been reading on line about how to darken this Shiny Brass. I bought Brass Darkener. I used paint thinner first to take of the plastic coating and then Q-tip [affil links] on the Brass Darkener. NOTHING.......... I have watched videos about Liver of sulfur Gel. My problem is I can't take off the hardware on most of the saddle. Can I neutralize it with water/baking soda without wrecking the leather? Does anyone know about this? I just read about the Palmolive Dish soap thing and that sounds less invasive! Someone please help me! Linn

Linda Goode
Novice - Woodland, California
August 16, 2009

C'mon now, Linda. Do you honestly expect us to believe that your horse has never heard of sunglasses?

A. You have to get the coating off before the brass darkening solution [on eBay or Amazon] can work. Aircraft stripper should work, although it's really noxious stuff (methylene chloride). Alternately, you may be able to remove the coating by abrading it with a fine sanding disk on a Dremel [on eBay or Amazon].

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
August 17, 2009

A. As the problem is that these parts are too bright, scuff them with fine grit sandpaper.
Problem solved.

Marc Banks
Blacksmith - Boone, North Carolina
September 6, 2009

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How can you talk about sunglasses for horses, Ted?
A horse that is constantly looking back to his saddle must be very ill. He must need a neck re-construction surgery. Also, it is advisable for Linda to look up while mounting. It's the safe way.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
September 12, 2009

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September 14, 2009

WWEEELLLL! You could buy some blinders for the horse and Ray Bans for yourself although Serengeti's are a lot more fashionable, contemporary and expensive I might add! Or you could dress period and wear one of those old huge hoop dresses. That would cover the saddle.
Or, in all seriousness you can get some Birchwood Casey Brass Black [Brass Black on eBay or Amazon] (gun shops sell it), steel wool and lacquer thinner [on eBay or Amazon] (hardware store).
Wet the steel wool with lacquer thinner [on eBay or Amazon] and scrub the brass fittings. Then apply the black with a cue tip or whatever. It will turn the fittings an old yucky tarnished color, for the lack of a more romantic description.
lacquer thinner [on eBay or Amazon] will dry out the leather but you can retreat any affected areas with Neatsfoot oil (ranchers call it weasel piss here) or saddle soap. Tack shops sell both.
Oh and Ted don't sink your retirement savings into horsy glasses! I have a notion they won't sell that good. he he he he - Rod

Rod Henrickson
gunsmith - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada