Coloring brass

[oddh]

Do anybody know a way to color brass black?

 

[cobra428]

Hi oddh,
There is a black oxide chemical for nonferrous metals. Tool blackener

http://www.mcmaster.com/#black-oxide-alternatives/=6fjniw

Tony

 

[mklotz]

A little bit of googling turned up this...

http://www.sciencecompany.com/patinas/patinaformulas.htm

Hope it helps.

 

[bearcar1]

There's always magic marker ;D ;D sorry :hDe:

Hello Odd', and welcome to HMEM. To answer your question in a more civilized and educated manner this will color brass Black:

Copper Carbonate ... 16oz.
Ammonia .............. 1 quart
Water ................... 2.5 quarts
Temperature .......... 175*F

Mix the copper carbonate and the ammonia together thoroughly before adding the water. An excess of copper must be present for the mixture to be effective. This color, which is actually a bluish black may be fixed by the subsequent dip in a 2% solution of caustic soda.

Please if you use this recipe provide yourself with the proper eye protection and wear rubber gloves as the solution will irritate the skin and nasal passages. Other than that, good luck and give us a little bio of yourself in a welcome message.

BC1
Jim

 

[Cedge]

Birchwood - Casey offers it on their web site. I was just looking at it last night. The also offer Aluminum black. Both are available in several different quantities. I've used their gun blue and it worked great.

Brass....
http://www.birchwoodcasey.com/sport/blueing_index.asp?categoryID=1&subcat=5&prodcat=87

Aluminum....
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4941/Product/ALUMINUM_BLACK

Steve

 

[oddh]

Thanks, this is truly a great forum.
I'm an instrument builder, and make my own bridges of brass.
Regards Odd

www.listerudbass.com