aging brass

[Daniel]

Was wondering how you all age brass. I can't seem to find away to do it.

Thanks

[E.vonAschwege]

Hey Daniel - there are lots of ways to age brass, and also depends on what you're trying to achieve. 

Here are a few ways:

Birchwood Casey "Brass Black".  Doesn't really age it so much as create some nice contrast between light and dark if you rub it back a bit.  It will look very shiny for a few days and then dulls out a little nicer. 

Ammonia fumes.  I suspend some parts in a bin with ammonia at the bottom.  Only takes a couple hours at most to create a natural green patina on it.  It can be rubbed back as well.  Warning: the fumes will draw out the copper in the brass and make it much more brittle - I've broken a few thin pieces this way. 

Black powder fouling residue.  I'll actually take a part and light off some black powder underneath it, covering the part with fouling.  Rub it back with a damp rag and it'll start to change color.  Repeat for desired depth of patina.  Can also use your cleaning patches while shooting too.  This tends to make a more brown patina on brass.

Best, -Eric

[Dogshirt]

Liver of sulpher will turn it black and then you rub it back as you see fit. It DOES really STINK, so
do it outside or Momma will kick you out!

[Longshot]

You might also achieve the look you're after by applying a thin paste of Miracle-Gro plant food; let dry, then rinse and rub out.
.....it's all fun.

[Model19]

Yellow mustard works too.  I also found heating it with a propane torch to have some use.   

[James Wilson Everett]

Guys,

Check this older topic for a lot of great input on this.  http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=24687.msg236304#msg236304

[JCKelly]

Ammonia cracks brass.
Lousey choice.
Realize there are those who disagree. They can enjoy their cracked brass if they wish. Want to know more about it, search web for "Season Cracking"
I can't/won't help being a metallurgist, gentlemen, and do know a little about cracked metal.

Awareness of this goes back to "season cracking" of British .577 ammunition whilst bringing the Light of Civilization to India. Only cracked during monsoon season. Of course, during monsoon season they stored their ammo in the horse barn. A real no-non

there are a zillion recipes on internet. All of those above except ammonia are just fine.

[Majorjoel]

My favorite method to age brass is very simple. TIME  In just a couple of years new brass starts to take on a nice dull mustard color. My new book called "The Lazy Gunsmith" should be out in a few years. Should be around the time Wallace gets his in print. Well, back to my shade tree!

[KLMoors]

I've tried several methods and, for my tastes, black powder residue seems to work best and quickest.

When I engrave, I use 44-40 blue to darken my lines while engraving. So, my parts have some "aging" done already. I wait till I shoot the gun, and while cleaning, I rub the brass down with the damp dirty patches. Works great!

[Don Getz]

Jim.........I have been ageing brass parts in a coffee can with a lid, and ammonia on a paper towel, none of the parts are
touching the ammonia.  Maybe I have been lucky but so far, it has worked for me.   Turns the parts kind of a dull green, I
then shine it up with OOOO steel wool.  I guess I should feel somewhat like the Walenda (spelling?) who is going to walk a
tight rope across the grand canyon, I now have to be worried about my brass parts cracking and falllng off my guns, probably
right after my 12L14 barrel blows up..........Don

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

With a little experimenting I discovered what it takes to make brass brittle with ammonia.  My experience is that 2-3 hours makes good color but not brittle.....overnite....well..... serendipitous learning    

[flehto]

Seeing  that the areas of least wear are mainly what we're concerned w/,  I just use 44/40 cold blue and steel wool the higher  or wear areas  and then  let nature do the rest. I still have my first LR build of 1977 and although  it's name is "ugly", the brass components have aged w/o any "help".....of course the low wear areas don't have the "grimy", sought after appearance and although used a lot, this LR has  through the years been "over cleaned" and over lubricated. Hardly the way to "produce" an "antique......Fred

[LRB]

  Just about any cold gun blue will turn brass black and brown black in a few seconds. 44/40 leaves a duller black than most. Depends on the look you are after.  See my plug bayonet in the accoutrements section. That was done with Brownell's Dicropan T-4. 

[Daniel]

Thanks guys. I have some brass parts I want to age along with cones and etc.

Daniel

[Gene Carrell]

I usually knock the 'shine' (read age) by wiping the brass with used cleaning patches after shooting. A few range sessions will give a nice patina.

[Dphariss]

Was wondering how you all age brass. I can't seem to find away to do it.

Thanks

Blackpowder fouling works good. Mine get darkened just from use and its in the right places.

Dan

[James Wilson Everett]

Guys,

The B.P. residue method is the way I darken shiny brass to give it the old looking patina.  Here is how I use this process.  I bring the shiny brass gun to the shooting range.  I shoot the gun and swab the bore with a spit patch.  Then immediately I begin to wipe down the shiny brass with the dirty, wet patch.  It darkens the brass nice and quickly, and the right color, too.  If you collect the dirty patches in a bag to take them home for later use, it will not work as well as a really fresh dirty patch, they must be really fresh.  If you keep the dirty patches in a plastic bag in the shop for a long time, then try to use them, they don't work at all.

Also, commercial cold blue solution will work, it gives a too black color (in my opinion).

Jim

[jke]

The most realistic way I have found is to do it is naturally, with a little help that is.
Just put it in some dirty water and wait a month, beautiful natural brown even patina.
I just mix some vacuum cleaner dirt with water, and let it soak.