Patina

[Kyzrsoze]

I tried my hand at aging/forced patina a while back, and I finally got around to taking some pics. I used a Blind Horse Brumby as my guinea pig, and rust bluing solution to create the effect. I did a light coating over the entire blade as it should provide some corrosion resistance, and created darker areas for effect.

 

[shaneadams90]

Looks nice..can you tell me a little about the process? Right now I have a beater Esee that I am etching the logos in, then planning on stripping and doing something like this..

share any tips you have as well as additional pics of the process….anything is greatly appreciated…

 

[Kyzrsoze]

As you probably know, there are a lot of different chemicals people use to cause patina. I used a rust bluing solution because 1) I already had some, and 2) It causes a rapid and consistent chemical reaction. This is the solution I use:

www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/metal-bluing/specialty-bluing-chemicals/pilkington-classic-american-rust-blue-prod9815.aspx

The process is straightforword:
- Degrease/wipe down the steel
- Use a brush to apply the solution. When I'm doing a gun I am trying for consistent coverage. For the knife I did an initial overall thin coat, then I used the brush to create a random pattern.
- The solution will cause the metal to rust within a matter of minutes
- Boil the treated metal in water for a a minute or two. This will stop the chemical reaction and cause the rust to blacken into a protective coat.
- Repeat the process as needed.

With a gun the goal is to repeat the process, building up layers until the solution no longer causes rust. With the knife it's a matter of your creative application. I used the brush to randomly dab/brush/splatter the solution, and used 0000 steel wool to remove the bluing in random areas between coats.

This thread has good pics of the process as used on a rifle:
http://www.theoutdoorstrader.com/threads/178327-Marauder-Style-Conversion/page5?highlight=marauder


The rest of it really depends on your artistic skill to achieve the look you want. I used steel wool to scuff and remove the

 

[georgiaboy34]

I've done it with fruit and vegetables (strawberries did a great job on a little Esee Izula that I stripped first). I've also used gun blue and vinegar. The fastest and probably best I've used is a 50-50 mix of ferric chloride and 5% white vinegar. The Ferric chloride can be bought at Radio Shack as circuit board etchant. This combo will also etch stainless (turns it grey).

I use windex to stop the etchant. I clean it with windex and soak in hot water with blue dawn. As was stated above, cleaning the blade thoroughly (before and after) is important. I use blue dawn and hot water as well as alcohol or nail polish remover. Hope this helps.

 

[bjordaninatl]

Wrapping silver coins with newspaper works for them, but takes years.