Patina forms on the surface of brass and other metals.Adding a finish to brass can give it an aged look that many people find appealing.The brass can be put through a few quicker chemical processes in order to speed it up.
Step 1: The brass piece should be washed.
Liquid dish soap and warm water can be used to clean brass.Before proceeding, be sure to remove all of the soap.It is possible to coat the metal with oils from your skin or other sources.The process may not be as successful if the piece is not clean.
Step 2: Baking soda should be applied.
Baking soda can be applied to the brass.Use a piece of steel wool to scrub the metal.Only scrub in the same direction as the brass.Don't scrub against the grain since it may cause scratches.
Step 3: Don't rinse the baking soda.
To wash off the baking soda, place brass under running water.If you wipe away the baking soda with your hands, you may distribute more oil onto the metal.Run water will clean the surface.
Step 4: It was dry well.
To dry the metal, use clean paper towels.Again, don't touch the metal with your hands.
Step 5: The container should be lined with paper towels.
Put a few clean paper towels in a container with a lid.The container needs to be deep enough to hold these paper towels and your brass piece.A clean container can hold food that used to be in it.Make sure the container is clean and that the lid snaps on securely.The container should never be used for food again.
Step 6: The towels should be soaked in ammonia.
Add ammonia to the paper towels in your container.You should only do this in an area that is well-ventilated.You should wear safety goggles and gloves to protect your eyes.
Step 7: On top, sprinkle salt.
Sprinkle a generous amount of table salt over the paper towels in your container.
Step 8: The brass should be placed inside.
Place your brass piece on top of the paper towels.The brass should come into contact with the ammonia and salt when pressed gently.
Step 9: Place more ammonia-soaked paper towels on top of the brass.
Place a clean paper towel on top of your brass piece.Put more ammonia on the paper towel.The brass needs to be covered with as many paper towels as possible.Lift up the paper towels and sprinkle a coat of salt on the brass.After covering the brass piece with ammonia-soaked paper towels, do it again.
Step 10: The container needs to be placed on the lid.
Set the container aside for a few days after securing the lid.Keep the container away from kids and pets.Once the desired look forms, you'll need to check on your brass piece.If you want a more dramatic look, give the process a day or two.If you want the best results, check the patina every 30 to 60 minutes.The paper towels will change color during the process.
Step 11: The piece of brass needs to be finished.
Remove the brass from your container and place it on a clean paper towel to dry.After drying it, rinse it off and then dry it.The dark portions of the patina can be lightened by using #0000 steel wool.You may want to coat the piece with clear lacquer or a soft wax after a day or two.
Step 12: A solution of salt and vinegar is needed.
Combine five parts dark vinegar with one part salt.Enough solution should be prepared to cover your brass piece.A metal container can have a reaction to the chemicals present, tainting the process, so use a plastic or glass container.It's possible to find dark vinegar in a deep shade, like black or balsamic.
Step 13: Take the brass out of the solution.
If you want to make sure all sides are covered,Submerge your brass piece in the salted-vinegar solution.Allow it to soak for a while.When submerging more than one piece of brass, make sure that none of the pieces touch each other.
Step 14: The oven needs to be preheated.
The temperature in the oven should be between 400 and 450 degrees.The higher the temperature, the more dramatic it will be.Prepare a metal baking sheet by lining it with foil.The pan may become discolored if you leave the foil off.
Step 15: The piece of brass should be baked.
Remove the brass from the solution and place it on the baking sheet.If you like the appearance of the developing patina, bake it for 60 minutes.The final look won't be the look that develops during this time.
Step 16: Continue baking if you apply the solution again.
After removing the brass from the oven, submerge it in the solution for about 5 minutes, coating all sides of the piece.Return the brass to the oven and bake it for another 30 minutes.tongs should be used when handling brass since it will be very hot.
Step 17: The brass should beSubmerged again.
Remove the brass from the oven using tongs and dunk it into your solution again, coating all sides well.A blue-green patina will be created by this final submerging.If you don't want this tint of color, skip this step and move onto the next one after taking the brass out of the oven.
Step 18: Cool and dry.
Place the brass on top of two or three sheets of wax paper.Cool it to the touch by setting it aside.This can take a long time.
Step 19: The brass piece needs to be finished.
The brass can be left as is if a nice patina develops by this point.You can lighten the piece with steel wool or buff it with a clean rag.Clear lacquer or soft wax can be used to seal your piece.
Step 20: An egg has to be boiled.
Place the egg in a saucepan and cover it with cold water.Bring the water to a boil in the saucepan.To cook the egg in the warm water, immediately turn the heat off and cover the saucepan.Adding a pinch of salt to the water will make peeling it easier.After the water starts to boil, turn the heat off.The way the egg is cooked prevents it from being over cooked.
Step 21: The cooking process needs to be stopped.
Use a spoon to remove the egg from the water.It shouldn't be ice cold until it feels cool enough to handle.The shell of the egg can be separated from the cooked egg white by chilling it.If you want to keep the egg warm, you should avoid cooling it down too much.
Step 22: Remove the egg from it's shell.
To crack the shell, gently roll the egg on a flat surface.You can peel the rest of the shell with your fingers.You don't have to worry if you lose a few chunks of egg white as you peel off the shell because you'll want to preserve as much of the egg as possible.As the egg sits, it should produce enough sulfur to give your brass a finish.
Step 23: The egg should be cut in half.
Cut the egg in half with a knife.The egg white and egg yolk should be cut in two.The yolk and white should be kept together.It is important that you expose the egg yolk in this step because it is an important part of the process.
Step 24: There is an egg and brass in the bag.
Place your boiled egg in a bag with your brass piece.The bag needs to be sealed well.Only use a bag with a seal.The brass doesn't have to touch the egg.
Step 25: It's time to set aside.
Allow the bag to sit out at room temperature for a while.After several hours, you should notice a slight tarnish on the brass.The egg yolk is giving off gas that is responsible for giving brass a finish.The egg and brass should be kept in the bag for as long as necessary.This process can get very smelly, so you may want to set the bag aside in a garage or unused room for its duration.
Step 26: The piece needs to be finished.
Remove the brass from the bag.The brass piece should be sealed with clear lacquer or soft wax to protect the finish.