How to preserve blackened brass/copper

[John Arnold 3Participant @johnarnold3]

I have just started using 'blackener' to chemically blacken brass and copper components.

Should objects be sealed with a clear sealer after blackener? I have noticed that the surface tends to come off a little when handled?

Also can blackener be reused or does whatever reaction which takes place reduce it's effectiveness.

Thanks

[John Arnold 3Participant @johnarnold3]

[BanjomanParticipant @banjoman]

John,

A little may indeed come off when handled, so yes, a sealer can be used; however, be careful that you don't negate the positive aspect of blackener that is that nothing is added to the surface! For my part, i have never felt any need to use sealer.

I have on the other hand found that a stronger, better lasting result can be had by diluting the blackener with water and proportionally increasing the time that the parts are kept in the bat. If my memory serves me, I've usually worked with +/- 1 part blackener to 3 or 4 parts water, i.e. a 25 or 20% solution, and with immersion times between 10 and 20 minutes or so.

After blackening, I also always rinse the parts by dipping them in a bowl of clean water and then let them dry naturally on some kitchen roll before handling them with my fingers; for moving them from blackener to rinse to kitchen roll, I of course (carefully) use tweezers. If your tap water is on the hard side, you might want to use distilled water or rain water, to avoid limescale spots.

And yes, blackener can be reused! It will become less effective with repeated use, and eventually lose all effect, but it can definitely be reused several times.

What I do is to pour the used blackener into a different bottle from the one in which it came; that way, the original bottle will always be fresh and full-strength, so that the diluted and/or pre-used stuff in the other bottle can be topped up by when and as needed.

Mattias

Edited By Banjoman on 05/04/2018 10:37:01

[John Arnold 3Participant @johnarnold3]

Thanks Mattias

I won't use a sealer. I had not rinsed in water after blackening as all the instructions and videos I found did not mention rinsing – even though I thought it a good idea. I have read that white vinegar can be used but I'm sure it would take too long.

I must say that I have found that I can get things delivered from Cornwall Boats (UK) almost as quickly as from interstate here in Australia and similar postage cost. I have had to replace some of those very tiny 1:100 scale parts lost during handling. Oh so fiddly I would never choose this scale again.

It was a real ordeal attaching eyepins to the bowsprit even though there are two brass 'mast hoops' predrilled as I had to cut them down from 11mm long to around 4mm long (the bowsprit is only around 3mm diameter where they are attached.

John

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