changing my brass frame

[crazyjennyblack]

So I'm trying to find a cheap project to do. I have a couple of pietta brass frame 1858 remington revolvers. Never liked the brass frame look, and can't really sell them to anyone around here for what they're worth. Being somewhat financially strapped and bored this winter, I want to play with them and have a bit of fun.

How possible would it be to change the color of those brass frames? I've heard of brass black, but how would that look?

I'm also thinking of possibly plating them with nickel. How difficult would that be? What materials would I have to buy? (don't really want to buy a $100 kit) Also, how would I remove the barrel to just plate the frame? Or could I plate the barrel while still attached to the frame?

Also, if anyone has pics of brass frame guns that have been changed, two tone nickel and blued guns, or anything similar, feel free to post.

Thanks!

 

[Chawbaccer]

You can use ordinary cold blue on brass to give it that aged patina look. Do the whole frame then take your time and rub the corners and such back to the original brass. If you are good at art you can paint a design on the frame with a laquer and then etch it with pcb etch from Radio Shack, iron chloride I think it is.

 

[test drive]

i have used brass black many times. it looks great just like deep blue steel. only prob. is it is not permenent and will start to rub off. its very easy to aply, just clean brass good, then clean with alcohal,rinse with cold water and swabb on black,let sit over night then rinse with cold water. nickel and hard chrome will work with brass but imo. you spend that money and you still got a brass frame. now since we are talking 58s it wouldnt bother me to have one plated as the58 is a stonger gun (where the brass is involved) than say a 51 or 60. and therefore a more practical shooter from a money investment point of view. Rems are stronger than Colts when it comes to brass frames.

 

[Busyhands94]

I have used some patina stuff I have for stained glass, you use it to blacken the solder and caming between the pieces of glass. It's pretty much a stronger version of gun blue, and it gives brass a lovely aged look!

Plating metal is actually pretty straightforward. You just clean it, hook up some wires, dip the plating wand in some plating solution, then gently rub it until a good coating of that metal is on there. I decided to try that plating for myself with one of those wand plating kits, it's affordable and easy. Nuff said.

 

[AlexanderA]

If you don't want to use commercial brass black, a paste made of powdered sulphur and oil works well, especially if you heat the brass part first. To restore the brass look, use a mixture of salt and vinegar.

 

[crazyjennyblack]

I found this "gunmetal" bluing on the Caswell website. They want about $22 for it, but supposedly it turns brass into something that looks like regular blued steel. Has anybody here used this stuff?

 

[Lunie]

I can't vouch for these, but found them from a search:

http://www.sciencecompany.com/patinas/patinaformulas.htm

 

[Busyhands94]

Guys, here's what that patina stuff they sell as stained glass supply places will do to brass. The results are kinda nice looking!