How to stain brass cases

[JSnover]

I started using red sharpies to draw a fat red ring around the case body. Seems to work better for me than coloring the base but it has to done over after tumbling.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I started using red sharpies to draw a fat red ring around the case body. Seems to work better for me than coloring the base but it has to done over after tumbling.

I also use a red sharpie ...I use it for converted 9x18 from 9mmNato, on the case head.

On a similar thought, one range I shoot at, has many Oak trees. In the spring, when picking up 223/556 cases in the wet oak leaf covered grass...the cases can be quite Black and it's difficult to polish that Black tarnish/oxidation off without using aggressive additives to the media (but a hot Citric acid works). I've often thought of making a Tea out of Oak Leaves (for the tannic acid I suppose?), to apply a black tarnish to brass cases.

[40-82 hiker]

Here is a link to an old thread on CB about this topic. I don't know if it offers any advantages or not. Just remembered having seen it before.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...ng-brass-cases

[Seeker]

Wet tumble them with stainless pins and too much lemshine, they will turn pink. Don't ask me how I know.

[mold maker]

Miss a couple steel cases when citric acid tumbling, and they will revert to a brown tarnish as soon as they dry.

[Texas by God]

Leave some in a secured colander in full sun for a year. Turn over at 6months. No kidding. Best, Thomas.

[wmitty]

I've found that leaving brass in a citric acid solution at close to boiling turns it pink. I'm not sure if the brass was damaged by this process, but it's not a very masculine color and I doubt many would be inclined to pick it up if you are trying to mark your brass. I thought it was kinda funny and decided it looked good on the .223 brass I was working with.