How to darken brass/bronze on a working gun???

[flagman1776]

I have kept my brass gun bright because the patina got messed up when cleaning the bore with Murphy's oil soap.  I always stood the swivel cannon up in a bucket of soapy water & used a jag to "pump" the hot soapy in through the vent. 
I'd like to darken / brown it but don't want to mess it up when I clean...  OMG... can't imagine painting a brass gun. 

[mechanic]

This will do it.
Ben
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/METAL-BRASS-AGER-DARKENING-SOLUTION-2-0Z-J-3492-/281089105785?pt=Antiques_Furniture&hash=item4172375f79

[Double D]

Go to the Cannon link list sticky and scroll down and look for the brass bronze blackening supplier links.  There are three of them. I would not buy from anti gun Ebay, just on principle.

Here is the part on barrel blackening from my SAMCC Build http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,187056.0.html

Yep an antique patina from JAX.  I bought mine from The Compleat Sculptor


The label says contains selenious acid.  Instructions say brush on with a bristle brush or immerse the item to be colored in the liquid.  I tried the brush method, and it didn't work very well.  Coloring was inconsistent and streaky.  Instructions also say after the finish is applied, rinse in water and dry.  After drying use steel wool to polish and highlight..  That seemed to just take the metal back to brass.   

Alternate method listed is to immerse in the solution, rinse in water then dry and polish with a cloth.  Wiping with a cloth thinned the finish.

The instructions also say the finish can be oiled or lacquered.

I tired the both methods. 

The best for this application was immersion.
 
I had problems finding a container large enough and small enough to fit the barrel in. Finally dug out one of the small part tanks I use for slow rust bluing.  The barrel fit fine but the pint of liquid I had was not enough to totally cover the barrel, so I to roll the barrel back and forth to get uniform coverage.  I used rubber gloves and a dowel to move the barrel.  I kept moving the barrel around in the solution until the barrel was black. I rinsed the barrel and dried it with air.



The first time I used a cotton cloth to wipe the oxidation of but the finish was either too thin or too soft and it wiped off to brass.



I wasn't satisfied so I dipped the barrel again, rinsed and dried.  After drying this time I spray the barrel with oil and then wiped the barrel off with a cloth.



I think the multiple dip and wipe method allows the color to build up and gave the finish that I was looking for. I think the process could be continued and a darker and darker finish more uniform could be achieved.



So back to paint making...

Here is the before:

[RocklockI]

I'd say shoot it ,once the barrel gets a coat or two of suit on it it will start to patina on its own. Humidity will help ,I have left some of mine uncleaned in the rain . It doesn't take long ,once the color starts to turn it will continue . Just don't scrub the barrel too much.
 
Gary
 

[flagman1776]

I missed that info in the stickies previously.  I'll have to research the links before I decide.  Thanks!

[buzz36]

I have use gun blueing to darken brass

[flagman1776]

Thanks Buzz!

[JeffG]

Copper sulfate root killer crystals found in hardware stores. Degrease; Use rubber gloves and sponge down with warm waterand crystal solution. Repeat until patina is achieved. Then rub with olive oil. Very good for antiquing brass and copper.

[Double D]

It never ceases to amaze me the diverse knowledge the members of this board have to offer. 

Hey Mods. this one should go in the FAQ's.