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Other finishes for pewter castings

January 30, 2010

Hello All.

I am starting to make pewter castings for period buckles, wristguard ornamentation, cloak clasps and jewelry for use in SCA and Medieval re-enactment events. Is there an "At-home" method for applying a finish to the pewter that would mimic gold, silver, copper, bronze, and blackened iron? It would have to be a durable finish especially for things like buckles and wrist guards...earrings,not so much. Eventually I may use commercial plating services, but right now the volume isn't there to justify the expense. So can some kind of finishing application be done at home?
Thank you.

Patricia Hann
Hobbyist - Mesa Arizona

Metallic Sharpie
on
Amazon

(affil links)

Hi, Patricia. Metallic paints are available in these colors, but even after a Self-etching primer [on eBay or Amazon] , I think they may be liable to chip. "Sharpie" laundry markers / indelible marker pens are available in these metallic colors and may be a better bet. But if I had only one guess, I'd say Rub'N'Buff [affil links] is the most promising approach.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Febuary 1, 2010

At internet archive website you can download (free!) old book on metal colouring by Arthur Hiorns,hundred years old but still usable .There are some tin and pewter colouring recipes in it.Hope it helps and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Zagreb,Croatia
February 6, 2010

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