Jump to content

Recommended Posts

  • Members
Posted

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:

v2rcxg.jpg

Into this (forgive the crappy photography):

1549854.jpg

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

Website: Wasteland Leatherwork

Collaboration Projects: The Wasteland Crow Project

  • Replies 20
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Contributing Member
Posted

Now how did you know I was about to ask that question?

Many thanks, Noah. Useful info and very timely!

Ray

"Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps"

Ray Hatley

www.barefootleather.co.uk

Posted

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

  • Members
Posted

Thanks Noah,

I've been wondering how to do that too.

Moe

What you focus on determines your reality.

Some Jedi guy.

  • Members
Posted

Noah, how long does this process take? Especially the hanging over vinegar part?

Thanks, Tom

  • Members
Posted

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

Website: Wasteland Leatherwork

Collaboration Projects: The Wasteland Crow Project

  • Members
Posted

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:

v2rcxg.jpg

Into this (forgive the crappy photography):

1549854.jpg

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

  • Members
Posted

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.

  • Members
Posted

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

Website: Wasteland Leatherwork

Collaboration Projects: The Wasteland Crow Project

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...