05-02-2007, 09:47 AM
Ok Lady's n' Germs
Now that we have a way to remove rust/age etc here is one way to redo that all again employing non caustic/chemical free agents. This technique can create many differing effects/results depending upon your needs and how it all is manipulated. Here one can produce that lovely deep brown patina we all seem to have a high attraction to or take it all the way to get that rustic, rusty corroded look.
PLEASE NOTE! This formula was primarily developed for use with steel and works with most brass etc and has NOT been tested on every kind of metal. It is always advisable either way to test on a small piece of scrap of material you are working with. Play it SAFE! Thank you.
You need:
1.Old funky coffee left in the pot (just for economy's sake) since you are planning to biff it anyway. If you don't mind wasting about 2 or more cuppas then it won't matter.
2.Salt sea salt is best but table salt is fine too.
3. some kind of small tank (vessel which will contain the project at hand)
This can be anything from a discarded plastic bag or something akin to an empty fish tank depending on item size. do NOT use any kind of metal vessel here.
4. small cheap air pump with hose such as a cheapola aquarium pump or similar. Air compressors as well it's just that all that extra UMPF is unnecessary.
Method:
it works a bit faster if the coffee is a tad hot.
Rather a weird recipe with no real measurements or amounts it's what works but roughly this:
For an item roughly 4X4" you need very strong coffee about 2 cups placed in a deep dish or what have you mixed with about 3-4 tablespoons of salt. Place the project in the container and place the end of the plastic pump hose down into the bottom of container. You may also use an aerator stone such as those you will find at pet shops for fish tanks they are cheap. If not then somehow weight the tube down so it cannot bob up to the top.
Turn on the pump and leave this set up alone for about 5 days. You may have to renew the liquid and salt content around 2 times during this period.
NOTE! IF the metal object is oil and dirt free you need do nothing. IF however it needs cleaning you can use whatever alcohol, turps, etc to clean it. It must be free of dirt and oil. even a light pass with high grit (600-800 wet and dry) if needed.
After 5 or so days come back and remove the object from it's tank. Allow it to stand in the open air for up to two days. You will ultimately see a very nice looking change come about and the steel, brass etc will have that dark brown patina. when you are satisfied with results take a very soft dry cloth and gently sweep away any visible dried salt crystals. If you have bees wax just heat it a tad in an can etc until it gets warm and soft. Then apply a small bead to project surface and lightly buff.
I often used this method when hand producing Japanese and other brass sword fittings and other such furniture. It looks VERY close to Shakado (pickled gold and brass).
Even most pros have a hard time with it!
Thanks for looking.
Cheers,
Titus
Now that we have a way to remove rust/age etc here is one way to redo that all again employing non caustic/chemical free agents. This technique can create many differing effects/results depending upon your needs and how it all is manipulated. Here one can produce that lovely deep brown patina we all seem to have a high attraction to or take it all the way to get that rustic, rusty corroded look.
PLEASE NOTE! This formula was primarily developed for use with steel and works with most brass etc and has NOT been tested on every kind of metal. It is always advisable either way to test on a small piece of scrap of material you are working with. Play it SAFE! Thank you.
You need:
1.Old funky coffee left in the pot (just for economy's sake) since you are planning to biff it anyway. If you don't mind wasting about 2 or more cuppas then it won't matter.
2.Salt sea salt is best but table salt is fine too.
3. some kind of small tank (vessel which will contain the project at hand)
This can be anything from a discarded plastic bag or something akin to an empty fish tank depending on item size. do NOT use any kind of metal vessel here.
4. small cheap air pump with hose such as a cheapola aquarium pump or similar. Air compressors as well it's just that all that extra UMPF is unnecessary.
Method:
it works a bit faster if the coffee is a tad hot.
Rather a weird recipe with no real measurements or amounts it's what works but roughly this:
For an item roughly 4X4" you need very strong coffee about 2 cups placed in a deep dish or what have you mixed with about 3-4 tablespoons of salt. Place the project in the container and place the end of the plastic pump hose down into the bottom of container. You may also use an aerator stone such as those you will find at pet shops for fish tanks they are cheap. If not then somehow weight the tube down so it cannot bob up to the top.
Turn on the pump and leave this set up alone for about 5 days. You may have to renew the liquid and salt content around 2 times during this period.
NOTE! IF the metal object is oil and dirt free you need do nothing. IF however it needs cleaning you can use whatever alcohol, turps, etc to clean it. It must be free of dirt and oil. even a light pass with high grit (600-800 wet and dry) if needed.
After 5 or so days come back and remove the object from it's tank. Allow it to stand in the open air for up to two days. You will ultimately see a very nice looking change come about and the steel, brass etc will have that dark brown patina. when you are satisfied with results take a very soft dry cloth and gently sweep away any visible dried salt crystals. If you have bees wax just heat it a tad in an can etc until it gets warm and soft. Then apply a small bead to project surface and lightly buff.
I often used this method when hand producing Japanese and other brass sword fittings and other such furniture. It looks VERY close to Shakado (pickled gold and brass).
Even most pros have a hard time with it!
Thanks for looking.
Cheers,
Titus
Titus Publius Saturninus
Richard Tonti
Richard Tonti
