How do you finnish metal in grey.

[Swampyankee]

Like the nose cap in the picture, or maybe it isn't grey/gray but something else entirely.



how to make your picture into chibi

[Dave Marsh]

Pewter perhaps. 

[Daryl]

Is that nose-cap cast? If so, pewter or babbit or some other alloy of lead.
If steel, a cold blue, rubbed back with 0000 steel wool might give that appearance.

[Swampyankee]

Yes, cast is what I have.

[Rawhide Rick]

I have used cold blue, multiple coats, each rubbed back with steel wool, to get grey patina.  The good part is if you don’t like it, you add another coat, or rub harder to knock off the last coat.  This was on cap and ball revolvers, but pewter might be hard to match because it such a dull grey.

[Clark Badgett]

It’s the easiest thing on the planet to get steel to look like that. Polish it to around 400 grit then use a green scratchy pad in a circular motion. A 400 grit Norton or Boride stone will also leave the metal a nice gray color.

[Sudsy]

Is that nose-cap cast? If so, pewter or babbit or some other alloy of lead.
If steel, a cold blue, rubbed back with 0000 steel wool might give that appearance.

I agree with this entire post

When I rebuild a vintage Sabatier carbon steel kitchen knife I cold blue the blade. With use over time it wears back to that same grey patina.
I suppose it could be sped up by rubbing it back.

[J. Talbert]

In addition to darkening brass, this stuff gives a nice grey finish to steel.
https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/antique-brass-solution-bronze-aging-32-oz-bottle?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cse-nc&utm_campaign=gdf&partner=bing&CATARGETID=120035490000057372&CADEVICE=c&msclkid=09466ed8fb27177db0bd0b75b0ca44e1!

Jeff'

[Not English]

I can second Jeff's suggestion. I did a long Tulle Fusil with it and was quite happy with the outcome. I don't know if Kibler still carries it, but Jim's stuff should be same stuff. I bought mine from Kibler because I felt I should be supporting a fellow gun maker.

[Tumbledown]

It’s the easiest thing on the planet to get steel to look like that. Polish it to around 400 grit then use a green scratchy pad in a circular motion. A 400 grit Norton or Boride stone will also leave the metal a nice gray color.

Use 400 grit, then coat with naval jelly for 15-20 minutes. Even easier.

[Dphariss]

I polish then engrave if needed. I caseharden with Kasenit. In plain water it will give this color most of the time and it puts a slicker, wear resistant surface on the lock plate. And yeah I have enough to last me for longer than I am likely to need it. I Use Cherry Red on screws and stuff I will polish and heat blue.

[Dphariss]

I don’t grey anything else.

[Swampyankee]

All good information, a little further study has shown some Hawkens with all metal being browned.  This being a Gemmer replica I think it might be one such example? Decisions, decisions.

[Sudsy]

All good information, a little further study has shown some Hawkens with all metal being browned.  This being a Gemmer replica I think it might be one such example? Decisions, decisions.

I built a CVA .32 squirrel rifle kit a few years ago. A CVA is nothing spectacular, and all the metal in the white, so I experimented and messed around with the finish, a combo of cold blue and browning - It came out great, looks like its 100 years old.
Real easy, brown over rubbed down blue then rubbed down again - burlap rags were the key

I can't get it to show right in a photo (my photog skills are seriously lacking)

[Pete G.]

I use phosphoric acid, sold in hardware stores as rust remover.

[Sudsy]

I use phosphoric acid, sold in hardware stores as rust remover.

Is that what's in Naval Jelly ?

[bluenoser]

It is.

[TDM]

I’ve used Navel Jelly before with good results but mostly use a 50/50 Jax Black/distilled water mix. Then draw it back as needed.