doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Restoring patina

Recently I purchased a Remington 1889 grade 6. When I received it one hammer was not engraved which I sent out to be engraved. It is bright and I would like to know if it can be colored in some way to match the correct one which is patina.

Patina is rust that has been smoothed over by handling.

Place your hammer in a sweat box or a steamy shower for a couple of days, or longer, and surface rust the part to the desired color, then hand wax gently to preserve the rust color and smooth out the surface.

If you need it darker or lighter, just remove the wax with acetone and re-rust until you get the right color match.

Faux patina kits are also available I believe, but these use a mild acid first I think, then surface rust, which is what the antique forgers use..?...

You can grey it nicely by wetting it with ferric chloride or some barrel browning solution. Don't leave it on more than a couple minutes, wash off and dry. The metal will still be white but duller, with a grayish tint. Reapply if desired until correct patina is achieved.

For such a small part I suggest using a mild Acid Such as distilled malt vinegar with a small drop of detergent added (washing up liquid) to break the surface tension so it covers the surface evenly. Then leave it in a damp place and wait for a fine rust coating to develop, when dark enough apply some oil after neutralising the vinegar on the surface with some Sodium Bicarbonate or some other alkali.

Thank you all

I take a toothbrush, dip it in prepared mustard, and then spritz the mustard over the item I wish to patinate.
The vinegar is the etchant, and the mustard seed paste is the indicator. Wash off with water.

To test, take a piece of mild steel, spritz it, leave over night, then decide. Lawnmower blade is a good choice for the test plate. It will freckle the steel nicely.

Clapper: Yalla or Dijon? Might depend whether it's American or European gun? thanks, Gil

Or; put a little brick cleaner in a glass jar, put a "nut"(or anything to keep the part out of the liquid itself)with the part on top in the bottom,screw the lid on and wait until the next day. The fumes will cause a fine rust to form. If the color doesn't match, adjust it (by eye)by letting it stay longer, or rubbing it with steel wool. When the color matches,oil it and rub it up with a piece of cloth.
Mike

Mustard comes in 3 forms.
Prepared- Mustard seed and Vinegar (acetic acid)
Dijon- MS and wine (no acid)
Chinese- MS and Water

Mustard seed is unique in that it is hottest when mixed with water.

For patination, it's the acetic acid at about 2.5-3% concentration in the mustard that attacks the metal. Or stains cutlery.
I wouldn't use Muriatic acid aka brick cleaner(weak HCl aka Hydrochloric), though using the fumes as described would certainly give an even patinate. And I would avoid battery acid as well (H2S04 or Sulfuric Acid)

Zapper you seem to have left out �English Mustard� from your list!!! That yellow bottled Gun powder and of course its other partner on the table for accompanying Roast Beef �Horse Radish sauce� each will strip the taste buds out of the mouths of the unwary.