Aging Brass

[Rkymtn57]

Could I please get some help on techniques for aging brass parts to give them that beautiful worn look.

[Pete G.]

Cold Blue and a polish with 0000 steel wool. Repeat as required until you get what you want.

[MarkEngraver]

I 2'nd the cold blue and steel wool treatment.
I prefer the  blueing paste as it doesn't run all over everything.
Or... just take those first black/dirty patches from cleaning and wipe them on to the brass to tarnish it.

[wattlebuster]

I like 2 methods. first is just wipe it down with a fouled cleaning patch when ya clean a bp firearm an second I like to use 44/40 instant blue. Just use it like Pete G. instructed

[Rkymtn57]

Thank you all very much.   1st.build.

[Don Getz]

If given a choice, I still like ammonia fumes..................Don

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

I have used the 44/40 etc.  and Ammonia fumes and I like the results with ammonia fumes best...I have a gas chamber (can) that I put a cotton ball soaked with amonia in and then suspend the brass parts in it and seal it up for about 4-6  hours. just be careful with thin brass and don't do it too long....brass gets brittle and will disintegrate..... as a few meth lab morons learned when they stored their ammonia in old bottled gas containers with brass valves..... Darwin Awards...

[Rkymtn57]

Ammonia.....errrrr ahhhh.  Thanks Boone ..... The dirty swab sounds just fine. 
Maybe I'll run a test ....I'm already get lots of interesting results with aqua feris and stains
On wood scraps. Thank you all. Dennis

[Rkymtn57]

Fortis

[Gaeckle]

Old trigger gaurds have a lot of little imperfections: little dents, scrapes, rounded edges......the use of a very small ball peen hammer enhances that aged look, just don't over do it...........