B/C Brass Black

[ArmedBear]

I've got a Uberti SAA replica in their "Millenium Finish". That means it has a smooth but matte bead-blasted finish, with a dark blueing on the steel parts, but no finish on the brass frame and triggerguard. I'd like to finish the brass so the whole gun is a uniform black color (and so the unfinished brass doesn't oxidize in spots).

Has anyone used Brass Black or some other finish on brass? (I've read that B/C Cold Blue works on brass, also, but haven't tried it.)

What color did it come out? Was it brownish, bluish, jet black, or ???

Does it stand up to use on a grip frame, where I'll sweat on it?

Thanks for any help.

 

[P95Carry]

I have had some for ages and hardly used it. My impressions were - prep'ing is critical - NO oxide must be left and also total degrease etc - bit like cold bluing.

Even after all that tho - struck me as very ineffectual! I doubt very much you'd see a real nice black and doubt too it would survive handling or sweat!

Sorry - pessimistic impression from here!

 

[dfariswheel]

Art stores probably still sell "liver of sulfur" which is used to blacken copper and brass work.

While it's not too durable, you'd likely get better results than with the BC Brass "black" which usually turns to to a smoky blue-gray color.

Check some old chemical resources for brass blackening techniques.

There's an old formula for blacking brass that was used on USGI brass gear , snaps, buckles, and bronze trench knife handles.
In this one, the parts are boiled in the chemical, and this gives a true black, durable coating.

 

[ArmedBear]

Thanks! I'll have to experiment.