Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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? How to Accelerate the Process of Aging Brass ?

I recently acquired a vintage Conn saxophone that was badly re-lacquered at some point in the past. The color of the lacquer doesn't look appropriate for a classic horn and makes it look really cheesy. I love the horn but I hate looking at it. Since I will be doing a complete overhaul and re-padding I'd like to remove the offending coating and let the brass age naturally and then clear coat it to prevent further damage.

My question is this. . . Is there any chemical or product that I can use to accelerate the darkening of the brass or do I just have to wait?

Bob Faria
North Wind Instruments - Boston, Massachusetts
2001

Dear Bob,

Try contacting a chemical supplier that works with plating companies (I'm sure you can find one on this web site). They'll be happy to sell you the proper chemicals to oxidize the brass, or you could search around and find what chemicals you need. If you don't want to get that involved, you could spray a tinted lacquer over the cleaned horn which would give you a temporary solution.

Good luck.

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

Bellwood, Illinois

2001

How to accelerate the process of aging brass? Jake Koch answered You could search around and find what chemicals you need. Does anyone know the name of chemical?

E Kay
- Minneapolis
2003

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One possibility is "brass darkening solution [on eBay or Amazon]"; another is "liver of sulfur [on eBay or Amazon] ". Good luck.

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

ammonia

Andy [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- UK
2005