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-----Why did our brass parts turn reddish brown?
Q. We are using brass material for our products. brass material colour changed to reddish / brown during our assembly. what will be cause for the colour change. Kindly give your suggestion to arrest the colour change on the brass material.
SIVA KUMAR- Coimbatore, tamilnadu, India
February 22, 2017
A. Hi cousin Siva. You haven't told us what alloy your parts are made of, what environment you have placed them in, etc. But brass always tarnishes, and usually quite quickly. If you want it to retain a shiny golden look, a dip in sodium benzotriazole ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] will help for a while in a favorable environment, but brass lacquer or another type of clear coat is certainly required for the longer term and if the parts will not remain in climate controlled conditions. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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Q. Thanks for the answer. One additional question, is there a special kind of lacquer for brass or would the regular ones meant for metal coating in general work as well?
Indranil BanerjieFreelance woodworker - Greater Noida, UP, India
A. Hi Indranil. Although some brass lacquers like Incralac ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] or Permalac [adv: Permalac on eBay] contain sodium benzotriazole or similar agents, which is specific for copper and brass, some don't. Whether the ones that don't contain it are "different" from what you are using, I couldn't say.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
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