Brass Hinges 'ageing'

[Peter Bell]

I've got some very small, nice and shiney brass plated hinges, they are to go on an old item which the other fittings are very dull. Any suggestions on how to age them before fitting, lemon juice, vinegar?

Thanks

[Guest mower man]

Vinegar works well ,I did some replacement fittings for an old percussion pistol and they really looked the part mick

[fry61]

Acid on brass -- thought that would clean the metal?? Be careful your hinges are not varnish/plastic coated as well as the brass plating.

[Grim]

I use a hydrochloric acid and ferric chloride solution to etch copper and brass, which will certainly darken the surface.

 

Typically composition would be:

200 ml water
10 grams Ferric chloride
50 ml Hydrochloric acid

 

For a slower etch, drop the FeCl to 5g

[fry61]

Acid on brass -- thought that would clean the metal?? Be careful your hinges are not varnish/plastic coated as well as the brass plating.

Got the above wrong -- apparently vinegar or salt water WILL do the trick --- though always used vinegar to clean coins in days gone -- never too old to learn.

[Peter Bell]

Well they have been in Cider vinegar for a couple of days and still looking very shiny! I'll try Balsamic next, may be different or I'll have to try salt. This is making me think of fish and chips.

[fry61]

Put them in with the pickled onions -- my wife's brew would turn anything into an antique.

[Grim]

did you see if they were laquered? i suspect they are as uncoated brass does tarnish easily in your fingers. Get the coating off and hold them for a bit

[Dave R]

if you need anything ,ore aggressive peter i may be able to help

[Dave R]

apparently ammonia is the way to go......

[Peter Bell]

Umm should I put them in the toilet with the bleach Dave?

[fry61]

It's the ammonia fumes which do the work -- so no risk of flushing. Google says bucket with tight fitting lid ( Quality Street plastic box -- after chock attack) suspend hinges above ammonia & check every hour 'til desired colour reached.

[Grim]

i'd not recommend ammonia and brass. It causes fairly rapid cracking - google 'season cracking'.

[Bob Tucker]

There must be something here....

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=how+to+put+a+patina+on+brass&rlz=1C1CHFX_enGB536GB536&oq=how+to+put+a+patina+on+brass&aqs=chrome..69i57.7341j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[Dave R]

Umm should I put them in the toilet with the bleach Dave?

bleach is sodium hypochlorite