Members NoahL Posted April 14, 2010 Members Report Posted April 14, 2010 Hello everyone, I figured I might as well post a quick how-to on how I antique brass hardware. Not sure if anyone is interested, but it can't hurt, right? This is how I turned this: Into this (forgive the crappy photography): Here are my steps: Scrub the surface of the hardware with steel wool until it has a dull shine Pour vinegar into a container--enough to cover the bottom Suspend the hardware above the vinegar (I tied string to the clips and taped the string to the outside of the container) Cover the container with plastic wrap Let sit as a blotchy, dark patina develops When you have reached a patina you like, take the hardware out of the container and dry it off Place hardware on an electric heat source (I used my electric stove on a medium setting) until it begins to darken Remove hardware from heat (use pliers) and quench in mineral oil Clean the oil off the hardware That should give you a nice, somewhat uneven patina, which you can then buff with steel wool in spots that you want to shine like they have some wear. For my Apocalyptic Survivor style hardware, I usually add a bit of a melted texture by smearing wood glue on the surface of the hardware and then heating it over an open flame until it ceases to bubble. ~Noah Quote Website: Wasteland Leatherwork Collaboration Projects: The Wasteland Crow Project
Contributing Member UKRay Posted April 14, 2010 Contributing Member Report Posted April 14, 2010 Now how did you know I was about to ask that question? Many thanks, Noah. Useful info and very timely! Ray Quote "Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps" Ray Hatley www.barefootleather.co.uk
AndyL1 Posted April 14, 2010 Report Posted April 14, 2010 That is fantastic! Thanks for the post on this. I've been wondering how to go about getting a nice used look on some hardware. Do you think the same process would work on shiny nickle plated stuff? I am going to have to experiment. Cheers, Andy Quote Blackthorn Leather on Etsy • Blackthorn Leather on Facebook
Members moeg Posted April 14, 2010 Members Report Posted April 14, 2010 Thanks Noah, I've been wondering how to do that too. Moe Quote What you focus on determines your reality. Some Jedi guy.
Members TomBanwell Posted April 14, 2010 Members Report Posted April 14, 2010 Noah, how long does this process take? Especially the hanging over vinegar part? Thanks, Tom Quote
Members NoahL Posted April 14, 2010 Author Members Report Posted April 14, 2010 Now how did you know I was about to ask that question? Many thanks, Noah. Useful info and very timely! Ray I'm psychic? Haha, I'm glad I could be of assistance! That is fantastic! Thanks for the post on this. I've been wondering how to go about getting a nice used look on some hardware. Do you think the same process would work on shiny nickle plated stuff? I am going to have to experiment. Cheers, Andy Well, I would be careful with anything plated--I did this to a buckle last night that was supposedly brass, but apparently it was actually a brass-plated pewter alloy of some kind because it started to melt on my stove and it's ruined now. Thanks Noah, I've been wondering how to do that too. Moe You're welcome! Noah, how long does this process take? Especially the hanging over vinegar part? Thanks, Tom It depends on how blotchy and dark you want it to look, but those clips spent approximately an hour to an hour and a half over the vinegar--just hang them up and go out to eat ~Noah Quote Website: Wasteland Leatherwork Collaboration Projects: The Wasteland Crow Project
Members cowboyjohn Posted April 14, 2010 Members Report Posted April 14, 2010 Hello everyone, I figured I might as well post a quick how-to on how I antique brass hardware. Not sure if anyone is interested, but it can't hurt, right? This is how I turned this: Into this (forgive the crappy photography): Here are my steps: Scrub the surface of the hardware with steel wool until it has a dull shine Pour vinegar into a container--enough to cover the bottom Suspend the hardware above the vinegar (I tied string to the clips and taped the string to the outside of the container) Cover the container with plastic wrap Let sit as a blotchy, dark patina develops When you have reached a patina you like, take the hardware out of the container and dry it off Place hardware on an electric heat source (I used my electric stove on a medium setting) until it begins to darken Remove hardware from heat (use pliers) and quench in mineral oil Clean the oil off the hardware That should give you a nice, somewhat uneven patina, which you can then buff with steel wool in spots that you want to shine like they have some wear. For my Apocalyptic Survivor style hardware, I usually add a bit of a melted texture by smearing wood glue on the surface of the hardware and then heating it over an open flame until it ceases to bubble. ~Noah Quote
Members cowboyjohn Posted April 14, 2010 Members Report Posted April 14, 2010 Quite a few years ago I used to renovate old furiture and to antique new brass fittings used ammonia. You just need to expose the fitting to ammonia gas so a small cup of ammonia and a plastic bag to form a tent does the trick. Dosn't give the almost black finnish you got with vinegar but gives the brass a nice patina. Quote
Members NoahL Posted April 14, 2010 Author Members Report Posted April 14, 2010 Quite a few years ago I used to renovate old furiture and to antique new brass fittings used ammonia. You just need to expose the fitting to ammonia gas so a small cup of ammonia and a plastic bag to form a tent does the trick. Dosn't give the almost black finnish you got with vinegar but gives the brass a nice patina. I've seen a few knife fittings that have been tarnished with ammonia, but I don't like the idea of having that particular chemical in my apartment, so I sought out a more lung-friendly method. The ammonia does give a nice patina, though. ~Noah Quote Website: Wasteland Leatherwork Collaboration Projects: The Wasteland Crow Project
Members CitizenKate Posted April 14, 2010 Members Report Posted April 14, 2010 Hey, thanks, Noah! I've been looking for a way to do this! Kate Quote
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