
Using Brass Ager
- 1 Isolate the brass parts of the hardware. ...
- 2 Clean the brass pieces. ...
- 3 Pour brass ager into a glass container. ...
- 4 Dip the brass hardware in the ager for at least 30 seconds. ...
- 5 Rub the brass piece with steel wool to remove unwanted discoloration. ...
- 6 Dip the hardware in cold water and then dry it with a soft rag. ...
How to age brass door pulls?
Two Techniques for Aging Brass 1 Dip Freshly dipped. The door pull lies face down in a small pool of brass ager with two screws for company. 2 Pull ’em out When I remove hardware from the acid solution, I blot it on a shop cloth, then rinse thoroughly in water to stop the chemical reaction ... 3 Highlights
What is the best way to clean brass drawers?
The salt water mimics actual aging and creates an intricate pattern on your brass. Vinegar is a fantastic natural cleaning agent and is a great liquid brass cleaning solution. It’s also perfect for giving your brass drawer pulls a light coating of patina and doesn’t pose a danger to the user.
How do you age brass with vinegar?
How to Age Brass Using Cider Vinegar Start by heating the oven to 450°F and laying aluminum foil over a cooking sheet that is large enough to hold your brass item. If the brass look you are going for requires only a soft patina, you may want to use a lower heat setting like 400° for your brass. tb1234
What happens to brass hardware as it ages?
As brass hardware ages, its surface oxidizes, which leaves a layer of tarnish over the hardware. Brand new brass hardware, such as drawer pulls, door handles, or towel bars, stays shiny and bright for decades because of a protective lacquer coating on the surface.
How to make brass ring with vinegar?
How to get a brass look aged?
What is the first method of ageing brass?
What to wear when aging brass?
How to age brass without ager?
How to sand a metal ring?
Can brass be aged?
See 2 more

How do you make brass drawer pulls look old?
2:454:12How to Age Shiny Brass Instantly! / Cottage House Flip Episode 5YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you'll have to continuously brush it on so it doesn't pull up anywhere. But if there are streaksMoreAnd you'll have to continuously brush it on so it doesn't pull up anywhere. But if there are streaks or areas that are too dark you can easily remove it by gently rubbing it off with steel wool.
How do you age brass hardware?
0:361:45How to Age Brass - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep 2 brush vinegar or saltwater over the entire surface of the object. Using the paintbrush. BothMoreStep 2 brush vinegar or saltwater over the entire surface of the object. Using the paintbrush. Both liquids oxidize the brass.
How can I patina brass quickly?
1:285:00Create a patina on brass - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis. Just lightly with some water now I'll set this back down there close it up and let it sit forMoreThis. Just lightly with some water now I'll set this back down there close it up and let it sit for a couple of hours. Well it's been about four hours now I left it in there longer than I planned on.
How long does it take unlacquered brass to patina?
two yearsFrequently Asked Questions. How long does it take for unlacquered brass to patina? As you can see in the photos in this post, it takes around a year to really start to see the patina. In fact, two years is probably when it was darkest.
How do I make hardware look old?
To age hardware, I use nothing more than a tablespoon or two of regular table salt dissolved in white vinegar. The process is super simple. Mix up the solution in a container that will fit your hardware. Dunk the hardware into the solution, take it out, and let it air dry for a few hours.
How long does it take brass to tarnish?
Could be two years if you just let it go its natural course! But before you pour yourself another drink – I also have some good news. You can safely and easily speed up the natural aging process and encourage the brass to tarnish almost instantly.
Does vinegar darken brass?
The first technique for how to tarnish brass is to use a darker vinegar, like balsamic or cider vinegar. This DIY mixture is one of the best ways to age brass and achieve that verdigris appearance, or greenish-blue color.
How do you speed up the oxidation of brass?
A mix of equal parts table salt and water will oxidize the brass, simply speeding up the natural aging process brass undergoes. Apply it with a small paintbrush over the entire surface and reapply daily until you've achieved the appearance you enjoy. Coat with vinegar instead for more pronounced aging.
How do you blacken brass with vinegar?
InstructionsPour a small amount of vinegar into your container. ... Add a few pinches of salt. ... Dip a paintbrush into vinegar and salt mix and paint it all over the item that you'd like to tarnish.More items...•
What is the fastest way to age unlacquered brass?
1:153:25How to Age Brass Using Vinegar and Salt - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo quite good if you're trying to get this old Asian affect the tarnished brass it's very easyMoreSo quite good if you're trying to get this old Asian affect the tarnished brass it's very easy really and all you need is a bit of household vinegar. And a bit of salt and a sealed container.
How do you make unlacquered brass age?
Unlacquered brass hardware will naturally age over time, developing that sought-after patina look entirely on their own. Just use your hardware as you normally would, and wash them with water and a mild soap so you don't disrupt the patina. It can take around two years to get the full effect, though, so be patient!
How do I permanently blacken brass?
You'll need two chemicals - white vinegar and brass blackener. I used to recommend muriatic acid but it can be dangerous, so now I just use white vinegar and it seems to work just as well. The product I've been using for the past couple of years is called Jax Pewter Black and it seems to work very well.
How do you make something look like old brass?
How to Create a Faux Antique Brass Finish With PaintStep One: Clean the Item to be Painted. ... Step Two: Paint with Dark Bronze Spray Paint. ... Step Three: Paint with Classic Bronze Spray Paint. ... Step Four: Apply Briwax Dark Brown Wax. ... Step Five: Add Rub 'n Buff in Antique Gold.
How do you speed up the oxidation of brass?
A mix of equal parts table salt and water will oxidize the brass, simply speeding up the natural aging process brass undergoes. Apply it with a small paintbrush over the entire surface and reapply daily until you've achieved the appearance you enjoy. Coat with vinegar instead for more pronounced aging.
Can you age brass with vinegar?
1:123:25How to Age Brass Using Vinegar and Salt - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just generally makes it look like an old buckle. So quite good if you're trying to get this oldMoreAnd just generally makes it look like an old buckle. So quite good if you're trying to get this old Asian affect the tarnished brass it's very easy really and all you need is a bit of household
How do you blacken brass at home?
2:545:36DIY Black Brass Fittings • Chemical Dip • Quick & Easy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then two coatings. And then three coatings. And then the fourth coating. And you can definitelyMoreAnd then two coatings. And then three coatings. And then the fourth coating. And you can definitely see how that gets progressively darker with each one of those coatings that was applied.
How to remove polyurethane from cabinet pulls with denatured alcohol
But there’s an easier way to remove all of the polyurethane or lacquer or whatever is sealing your knobs. Simple paint stripper will do the trick. For this, I prefer non-gel strippers. They’re still a little thick, but not as thick as, say, CitriStrip.
How to remove polyurethane with stripper and how to age brass cabinet pulls
The following video has been stitched together from the many attempts I made while figuring out how to age brass cabinet pulls. The first several videos (and a colossal waste of time) were made while I still believed that denatured alcohol alone would dissolve the polyurethane coating.
What safety precautions should I take before tarnishing brass?
Aging brass may require close contact with harsh chemicals, such as household ammonia or brass agers. It’s essential to wear rubber gloves and goggles for most procedures. Even if the methods don’t call for gloves and goggles, avoid getting any flecks of chipped brass in your eyes or pricking your fingers on the rough edges.
How to use ammonia for brass goggles?
To use ammonia, fill a container large enough to hold your brass item on a layer of paper towels. Leave plenty of room for a second layer of paper towels and your brass item to fit into the sealed container. Soak the bottom layer of paper towels in ammonia and evenly sprinkle salt over the top.
How to make brass look old?
Make Brass Look Old with Tarnishing Techniques. The first technique for how to tarnish brass is to use a darker vinegar, like balsamic or cider vinegar. This DIY mixture is one of the best ways to age brass and achieve that verdigris appearance, or greenish-blue color.
How to clean brass before lacquer?
Once your brass looks the way you want it to, rinse the object under the faucet using warm water. Make sure the brass is thoroughly dry before adding lacquer. If you have pewter or brass pieces that are discolored and dull, you can clean pewter tarnish with a vinegar, salt, and flour paste to make it look new again.
How to use brass ager?
To use a brass ager, dip your brass item into a container of the solution. You only need to leave the brass in the ager for a few seconds, periodically submerging the brass again and checking the depth and degree of the patina with each try.
How to keep brass fixtures from discoloring?
For most procedures, you will need a container big enough to hold the brass item and plenty of space to prevent discoloration on your carpets and furniture. You will be able to regulate how much tarnish you want on your brass fixture and hardware as you go through the process.
How to age brass with cider vinegar?
How to Age Brass Using Cider Vinegar. Start by heating the oven to 450°F and laying aluminum foil over a cooking sheet that is large enough to hold your brass item. If the brass look you are going for requires only a soft patina, you may want to use a lower heat setting like 400° for your brass. tb1234.
What side of the pull is rubbed with Scotchbrite?
Texture duly evoked. The right side of the pull has been rubbed with this scrap of Scotchbrite pad. The left side is as it appeared when pulled from the acid.
Where is the door pull in the ager?
Freshly dipped. The door pull lies face down in a small pool of brass ager with two screws for company.
Can coffee grounds age brass?
When I picked up the pulls this morning, they looked like new brass (as they should have, being new brass)–not shiny, but totally lacking in the character that comes with age. Adam suggested coffee grounds as a naturally acidic material to age the brass but said that method takes a few days. So I saved a few batches of coffee grounds and put one of the pulls face-down in them.
Who is Adam Nahas?
So I contacted metal artist Adam Nahas of Cyclops Studios, who has fabricated custom hardware for some of my other pieces. Not only is Adam an accomplished sculptor with a broad range of techniques; he’s also very good at solving problems and coming up with ways to produce a desired effect without breaking the bank.
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How to make brass knobs look greener?
Using a paintbrush, paint the vinegar solution on the brass door knobs and other pieces, and let them sit for a few hours. If you want a greener color, mix a tsp of salt with the vinegar. To make the patina even darker, heat the treated brass with a hairdryer or oven.
Why does brass tarnish?
Raw brass oxidizes in a hurry, and this process causes tarnish to develop. Tarnish arrests oxidation and prevents further decay. You can cause tarnish to develop by forcing your brass fixtures to oxidize through various methods. Before you can create tarnish, though, you need to know how to prepare brass.
How to clean brass pulls?
Place your brass pulls and other pieces in the boiling water, and let them sit for at least ten minutes. Remove the clean brass with tongs and allow items to cool, then use the toothbrush and more hot water to clean out any crevices. Clean off any lacquer with nail polish remover or paint stripper and steel wool.
How to get a patina on brass?
Don the gloves. Stir water and salt together until the salt dissolves. Paint the solution on your brass objects, and let them sit. Repeat the process each day for a few days to get a good patina on the brass. The salt water mimics actual aging and creates an intricate pattern on your brass.
What is the best way to clean brass drawer pulls?
Vinegar is a fantastic natural cleaning agent and is a great liquid brass cleaning solution. It’s also perfect for giving your brass drawer pulls a light coating of patina and doesn’t pose a danger to the user. Vinegar contains acetic acid and accelerates brass oxidation, which encourages patina development.
What is the best way to clean tarnished brass?
Ammonia is a great way to clean away grime from floors and tiles, and it can get your laundry looking brand new. You can also use it to tarnish brass. When you expose brass to its vapors, ammonia adds a uniform brown layer of tarnish. tb1234.
How to make brass look old?
In order to know the best way to tarnish brass, we first need to look at what tarnish is, and how it works and forms. Raw brass oxidizes in a hurry, and this process causes tar nish to develop.
What is Horton brass?
Horton Brasses offers a vast selection of more than 1000 pieces of brass and iron reproduction hardware for antique furniture and cabinets. Their selections include authentic reproductions of hardware for the almost every style of furniture.
What are some businesses that carry antique furniture?
These include architectural artifact companies, antique hardware shops, and some antique stores. The following are several of these suppliers that have a brick and mortar location as well as an online presence.
What was the latch made of?
If you see a piece with a wooden latch, it may date to this period. Mid-19th century - In the middle of the 19th century, cabinet latches were often made of brass . Cabinet makers would inlay the brass latch in the surface of the wood.
What was popular in the late 19th century?
Mid to late 19th century - Wood keyholes were popular during the era. You'll see them glued on to furniture or inset into the wood's surface. Late 19th century and after - Machine-stamped brass escutcheons became popular, and there were many ornate styles. Source.
What is antique furniture?
Antique furniture often include locks and keyholes. You'll see these on antique desks and dressers in particular. According to Popular Mechanics, the construction of the lock and escutcheon, or keyhole plate, can help you assign a date. Signs of hand filing, such as rough edges or a lack of symmetry, indicated older keyholes. You can also use the following date clues.
When were nails made of iron?
Until 1885, nails were constructed from wrought iron. 1885 and later - In 1885, nails began to be made of steel instead of wrought iron. The steel construction quickly allowed nails to be drawn instead of stamped by a machine, and around 1890, this became standard practice. Source.
Where is Bob Roth's Antique Hardware located?
Located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Bob Roth's Antique Hardware has a large inventory of antique hardware for furniture, doors, windows and cabinets. Robinson's Antiques carries original antique hardware dating from 1680 to 1925. Mowery Antiques specializes in restored antique hardware for furniture and houses. Source.
How to make brass ring with vinegar?
2. Soak your item for 1 hour in a mixture of vinegar and salt. Use 1 tbsp. of salt for each cup of vinegar. 3. Bake the item in a 450 F oven for 20 minutes. 4. Soak the hot item in the vinegar solution until you are pleased with the color. 5. Shake off the excess vinegar and allow the brass to dry.
How to get a brass look aged?
1. Un-lacquered bright brass. 2. Brass that was soaked with Brass Ager for 10 seconds. 3. To lessen the aged effect – rub steel wool over the brass while it is still wet. If you remove too much – re-dip in Brass Ager and repeat rubbing with steel wool until you get the desired amount of aging.
What is the first method of ageing brass?
The first uses a product called, Brass Ager. The second method, uses water and a few household products. I have also included a way to age brass so it takes on a verdigris color. Note: Before you use either method, you must remove any lacquer on the brass first.
What to wear when aging brass?
Wear safety googles and rubber gloves when aging brass or any metal.
How to age brass without ager?
It may take a few hours or overnight to see results, it will slowly change the brightness of the brass.
How to sand a metal ring?
Lightly sand the piece with “ooo” steel wool. 2. Brush on a coat of white vinegar, let sit for two hours. If it is not dry after 2 hours, wait for the vinegar to dry, then proceed to Step 3. 3. Mix 16 ounces hydrogen peroxide, 2 ounces of white vinegar, and 1/2 tablespoon salt. Brush the liquid on the dry metal.
Can brass be aged?
Determine if the brass you want to age has lacquer on it. If it does, that needs to be removed before you can age the brass.
