Author Topic: Darkening steel with Jax  (Read 1126 times)

Offline BrianS

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Darkening steel with Jax
« on: July 05, 2022, 10:10:48 PM »
I’ve been wondering for quite some time why folks are using Jax BRASS darkened on steel. Jax has a formulation specific for darkening steel. Why isn’t that used?

Offline Jim Kibler

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Re: Darkening steel with Jax
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2022, 02:26:02 AM »
Probably because we are the one who sell it to the muzzleloading community and thus is what we suggest.  We bought a number of their products, experimented with these and found out what we thought looks and works best.

Additionally, we started with a “brass” darkening solution from Historic House Parts.  I found this to work pretty well on steel as well.

Offline BrianS

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Re: Darkening steel with Jax
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2022, 04:01:20 AM »
Thanks for the reply, Jim. Oddly, the safety data sheets for those two Jax products appear to be identical. Confusing to me, although if they are the same that makes life a lot easier. :)

Offline BrianS

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Re: Darkening steel with Jax
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2022, 07:36:31 PM »
... bringing this up again only because there are 330 views... (of which I'm 3 OR 4)  :)

Just ran a test of the two Jax products on some 6-penny nails. Polished with 400 grit wet/dry paper (dry), applied both until they turned black and rubbed off with a blue shop paper towel. Both performed similarly and left a very even light grey finish.

Still not sure what the difference, if any, might be between them. For my goal, at least, it seems either will accomplish the finish I'm desiring.