Toning Brass easily at home

try this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patina

Brad

Hi, Guest!

I'd like to recommend 'ask.com' to you, where you can just ask a question and the search engine tries to come up with an answer to it.

For example, at 'ask.com', the following was found to the question "How does one apply a brown patina to bronze?"

Statuary Finishes On Bronze

Statuary finishes can be produced in light, medium and dark brown depending on both the concentration and the number of applications of the coloring solutions.

Solutions of 2%-l0% aqueous ammonium sulfide, potassium sulfide (liver of sulfur) or sodium sulfide (liquid sulfur) are swabbed or brushed on. Oxide pretreatment may be employed to enhance adherence. Final hand toning or blending may be required to achieve acceptable color match and color uniformity.

The following should produce a medium shade of brown:

A. Ammonium Sulfide Process

1. With a sponge or pad fairly well wrung out, swab on a thin film of a solution containing 5% to 10% by volume of polysulfide (dark) and water.
2. Rinse thoroughly.
3. Immediately follow this with a slightly heavier film of either a 5% solution of copper sulfate in water or a 0.5% solution of sulfuric acid in water. Apply by swabbing with a sponge or pad.
4. Do not contaminate the solutions by using the same sponge to apply both.
5. Rinse thoroughly.
6. Tone by rubbing in the direction of the grain with a fine abrasive pad (e.g., Scotch-Brite) while still wet.
7. Remove solution residue by wiping with a clean damp cloth or sponge and dry.
8. Repeat until the desired depth of color is achieved.
9. Alternatively, small objects may be immersed in the ammonium polysulfide copper sulfate solutions.

B. Potassium Sulfide Process

1. One gallon of 1.5% sharp water (2 oz oxalic acid in 1 gallon tap water).
2. Fine beach sand.
3. Potassium sulfide (liver of sulfur) mixed in tap water (1/4 lb. liver of sulfur to 1 gallon water).

Clean the metal. Wipe down the solution of potassium sulfide using a virgin clean white cloth, in the direction of the grain of the metal. Wash down with a clean white towel wrung out in sharp water. Apply fine beach sand with another clean wet towel going against the grain to even out the color.

This procedure is followed until a medium statuary color is attained. It may have to be repeated several times before uniformity appears. After the desired uniform color is attained, neutralize the work with a wash of clear water.

C. Other Processes/Procedures

1. Clean with fine pumice (0, 1/2) on a clean cloth moistened with a 10%-20% solution of oxalic acid and water.
2. Wipe off with a clean soft cloth
3. Apply a 5%-l 0% solution of potassium sulfide or ammonium sulfide using another soft cloth dipped in the solution and well wrung out.
4. Follow while still wet with a wipe of sharp water (about 2 oz of oxalic, sulfuric, or nitric acid in 1 gallon water) using a clean soft cloth well wrung out.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to achieve a depth of color slightly darker than the desired shade.
6. Relieve the surface by rubbing with fine beach sand on a clean damp cloth until the desired color is reached.
7. Rinse and dry.

Have fun!

Mark