Double_Canister Posted January 5, 2019 Share #1 Posted January 5, 2019 Anyone know a good and easy to blacken brass suspender hardware? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve B. Posted January 5, 2019 Share #2 Posted January 5, 2019 There is (was?) a model railroading product called Blacken It. It worked well, but I don’t know if it would be durable enough for susp3ner hardware. Check with your local hobby shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72psb Posted January 5, 2019 Share #3 Posted January 5, 2019 Try "Birchwood Casey" Brass Black. Found in gun shops or on line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeb137 Posted January 5, 2019 Share #4 Posted January 5, 2019 It's the product we used to blacken boot eyelets, rank devices & belt buckles when I was in the Seabees. Jon B. Newaygo MI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluehawk Posted January 5, 2019 Share #5 Posted January 5, 2019 Question: Do those commercial products smell of ammonia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suwanneetrader Posted January 5, 2019 Share #6 Posted January 5, 2019 When I used to relic hunt alot along Suwannee river I could buy a quart size container of yellow sulphur powder from an old time Druggest who still compounded Medicines (1970- -80) to put in my socks to keep red bugs (chiggers) out and if I recall it will tarnish silver. copper and brass. I believe you dampen the powder pour it in a small hole around your item and keep moist for a few days or just make a paste and paint on the item. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve B. Posted January 5, 2019 Share #7 Posted January 5, 2019 M-Nu is basically a paint. There are other products that will blacken brass through a chemical process. The Blacken-It has a strong odor as I recall, but I don't recall if it was an ammonia odor. A google search turned up other products, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double_Canister Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share #8 Posted January 6, 2019 What would be the most durable method? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluehawk Posted January 6, 2019 Share #9 Posted January 6, 2019 It would be interesting to experiment with commercial products vs ammonia.I understand, but have never tried, that it will blacken brass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themick Posted January 6, 2019 Share #10 Posted January 6, 2019 Directly related to what suwanneetrader posted above, years ago I used "liver of sulfur" which darkened brass/copper. Here's a link to it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver_of_sulfur I remember buying it from a pharmacy around 40 years ago, but no doubt you can get it online now. It works. The Wikipedia article tells you how to use it. As I remember though, it smells like old ripe farts!! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted May 22, 2019 Share #11 Posted May 22, 2019 Here is the cheapest and easiest way. Get a plastic container you can seal. Fix a wire hanging from the lid to suspend your brass item on, not touching anything. Put a paper towel in the bottom and saturate it with household ammonia. Close the container for a few hours and then check for color you want. Most I have had to wait was overnight. Usually a few hours will do the trick. Naturally be sure your item is perfectly clean of any oil, finger prints etc. etc. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
917601 Posted May 22, 2019 Share #12 Posted May 22, 2019 Look up a cheap way, eggs, patina. I used it some time ago for a huge load of brass WW2 cartridges that I used phosphoric and citric acid to clean bright and shiney. To shiney, put it a plastic bag and eggs, took a few days to darken, patina was excellent......I also heard chicken sh@t works well. Get back with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted May 23, 2019 Share #13 Posted May 23, 2019 I just reread your original question and my answer probably is not what you are looking for. The method I described, with the household ammonia, will put a patina on brass but, will not blacken it. Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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