P3D Re: Making Brass Look Old

[wier@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Bob Wier)]

>> I though I'd ask the panel of experts here for advice again. I want to
>> restore an old stereoscope, but I have to make some brass parts from
>> scratch. Any ideas as to how to make the new brass look like the old tarnish
>> parts?

Hi Mike - if you'd like to "roll your own", here's something from rec.
crafts.metalworking - I've not tried it, so test before use...(the
use of copper sulfate is also metioned in this thread...)

--Bob "Pass the chemicals!" Wier

   ====== wier@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ======
  6:59 PM Wednesday, December 31, 1997
   keeper of the Photo-3d and Overland-Trails
       mailing lists and other stuff
     (currently in Ouray, Colorado)

If you are looking at recreating that golden finish on old lacquered brass
there
are a number of methods.

1. Buy a spray can of gold tinted lacquer.
The last time I did this was many years ago. It was called Nikolas Special
Gold
coloured 2105 lacquer. From G.J. Nikolas & Co Inc, 33 Grand St., Brooklyn,
New York.
(Can anyone confirm their existence now?)
2. Bathe cleaned brass in a solution of potassium Permanganate (KMnO4),
allow the brass to dry,
rub carefully to remove surplus then spray with clear metal lacquer. (Needs
some experimenting
to get the right golden hue.)
3. For small brass objects, I now mix clear lacquer with golden oak
spirit-based wood stain and
brush on.

--
John D Newman
Hillcrest Woodcraft, Darlington, Western Australia.
Restorer/collector scientific instruments.




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