coloring brass

[Bert2368]

If "basic black" will do, here's an historic recipe. This was used to mark silent/suppressed/gallery 7.62x54R loads for mosin nagant. It will not dammage brass for reloading. The recipe is from part 3 of the link below-

http://guns.connect.fi/gow/arcane1.html

A recipe of the Brass Blackening Mixture:

Mix in the enamelled, stone-ware or stainless steel kettle:
2 parts by weight COPPER SULPHATE (Copper vitriol)
2 p.b.w. SODIUM THIOSULPHATE
1 p.b.w. WINE STONE (Cream of tartar; Potassium bi-tartrate)
40 p.b.w. SWEET WATER (preferably distilled).

Heat the mixture boiling. Add the cases. Cook them until the color is glossy black through the colors: rose-red > blue > bluish black. Cases must be carefully degreased before blackening: No "master's fingerprints" are allowed ! Chemicals used are not the strong poisons, but the mixture is not suitable for seasoning of the celebration punch: It may cause a condition called as the "hyper-emesis", when used internally: "per os" !

The chemicals are available from The Photographer's Formulary and your local grocery store.

http://www.photoformulary.com/Deskto...ID=18&langID=0

Have fun-

[pjh421]

A guy with an ink pad and a rubber stamp that can be adjusted to print different things could really organize his brass supply.

Paul

[TAWILDCATT]

I have a book on coloring brass.Clyde Baker modern gunsmithing.
olive green=copper sulphate=====8 parts
sal ammoniac=======2 parts
water============100 parts
red--black--blue black---bronze---iridescence

[colbyjack]

like said above dykem blue or red, it even hold up in the tumbler longer than you think. -chris

[The Double D]

Here's some do it yourself patina formula's for coloring brass. Some of the stuff listed is pretty nasty.

http://secure.sciencecompany.com/-W12C672.aspx#10

Ready made stuff here.

http://www.sculptnouveau.com/

[alamogunr]

I bought an assortment of Sharpies at Wally World. I only use them to identify different loads during development. Requires a "cheat" sheet each time.
John
W.TN

[Bert2368]

I would highly advise you not use ANY ammonia/ammonium compound on cartridge brass you intend to fire again.

[yondering]

If "basic black" will do, here's an historic recipe. This was used to mark silent/suppressed/gallery 7.62x54R loads for mosin nagant. It will not dammage brass for reloading. The recipe is from part 3 of the link below-

http://guns.connect.fi/gow/arcane1.html



The chemicals are available from The Photographer's Formulary and your local grocery store.

http://www.photoformulary.com/Deskto...ID=18&langID=0

Have fun-

What is "sweet water"?

[Bert2368]

He means distilled water or rain water. English is not his first language-

Generally, it's a good idea to use distilled water in any such chemical processing. The contaminants in hard water will affect some reactions.

[Treetop]

I would highly advise you not use ANY ammonia/ammonium compound on cartridge brass you intend to fire again.

Back in the early 70s, before I could afford a tumbler, I RUINED thousands of pieces of precious .45 ACP brass using a cleaner that contained ammonia. After all these years, it still makes me sick when I think about it!

[Fan of the 1911]

[QUOTE=Gunslinger;510771]Maybe that was a good way to pick up chicks

"Wanna try my Magnum with these fire engine red cartridges?"

Almost spit on the keyboard!!!

[BT Sniper]

How can you tell brass has been ruined from ammonia?

Like the idea of coloring brass. Like the Hornady tap ammo would be cool.

[BT Sniper]

What if I put a teaspoon of hoppes or barrnes CR 10 in my wallnut tumbling media and allowed to dry before tumbling brass?

[waksupi]

How can you tell brass has been ruined from ammonia?

Like the idea of coloring brass. Like the Hornady tap ammo would be cool.

Ammonia can cause the copper in the alloy to migrate. It will show up as copper colored spots on your cases. When you see this, toss the case.

Welcome aboard.