Brass tube treatment

[Mike D]

I've read several threads in which many of you paint your tubes before gluing them into the blank to change the look and so the brass doesn't show through the acrylic blank. I'm curious to know if anyone has attempted to chemicly convert or oxidize the brass instead of painting? I would like to find something that can be done in the home shop and that is resonably inexpensive. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[leehljp]

Mike,

I don't know where the threads are but in the past, several people used brass ager to blacken the tubes for certain castings and situations. I did also for a few dozen pens or so a couple of years ago and it worked great for me.

IAP regulars Linda and Mike Kennedy sell the brass ager here:
http://www.indy-pen-dance.com/Turning-Supplies/

 

[Mike D]

Hank
Thanks for your reply and the link. I'll look into trying this soon.

 

[Bobalu]

I haven't used it on brass tubes, but there is a product called Blacken-It that I used to darken metals in other projects in the past. You could also check with gun stores and see what they use to blacken metal. And there is also powder coating, if you're looking for additional options.

 

[ssajn]

I've used gun blue before and it works fine.