How to Blacken Oxide Brass

Black oxide conversion coatings are widely used in automotive, appliance, machine tool and metal forming industries but can also be utilized to add a different or renewed feeling to any household brass object. It is a conversion coating formed by a chemical reaction with iron in the metal to form an integral protective surface called a patina.

Brass
Laqure thinner
Darkening agent
Distilled water
Goggles
Chemical gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Strip any lacquer or protective coating that may already be on the Brass with either acetone or a lacquer thinner. Goggles, chemical gloves and proper ventilation are necessary throughout the entire process.
- 2
  Rinse the brass object in distilled water.
- 3
  Apply the darkening agent to the brass object by either submerging the object in the agent or by painting it on with a brush. Selenium dioxide, or liver of sulfur, is a chemical solution that is typically used by restoration professionals. More commercial products include Birchwood-Casey or Brasso. The Amount of time the chemical is allowed contact with the brass determines the darkness of the patina.
- 4
  Rinse again in distilled water to stop the chemical reaction.

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