Buzz
New brass items have a shiny golden color, but over time they tarnish and develop a thin layer of green, brown, or slightly red, known as patina. If you enjoy the antique look of aged brass, there are various ways to quickly age your item or make it appear vintage. Continue reading to choose the right method for your goal and learn how to prepare your brass to ensure the aging process is effective.
Steps
Prepare the Brass Item
Ensure your item is actually brass. Some other metals resemble brass, but they react differently to aging methods. Your item could be damaged if the wrong method is applied. If you're unsure, consider taking it to an antiques shop or consulting an expert.
- Clean brass has a bright golden-brown color. The metals most similar to brass are copper (which is brown or pinkish) and bronze (which is much darker brown).
- Brass has a slight magnetic attraction, but it only responds noticeably to strong magnets. If a small magnet sticks strongly to your item, it may be a different metal coated with a thin layer of brass.
Know how to handle if your item is not made of brass. If your item only has a brass coating on the outside, try using a gentler method like vinegar or saltwater, as strong chemicals may corrode the thin coating. If you want to antique the brass, check out these instructions here. To antique bronze items, you can purchase a "bronze aging solution" and follow the product instructions.
If the brass item has a glossy paint layer, you need to remove it using nail polish remover. Glossy paint is a tough, transparent finish that protects the brass surface from oxidation, which is the process you're trying to carry out or simulate. Apply nail polish remover (also known as acetone) to the item to remove the glossy paint.
- Wear rubber gloves and work in a ventilated area to avoid inhaling harmful fumes.
- Soak small items in acetone.
- Use a paintbrush to apply the chemicals to larger items, ensuring every crevice is covered.
- Methyl alcohol, paint remover, or solvent for painting can also be effective.
Pour hot water over the item after treating it with nail polish remover. Wait a few minutes or until the glossy paint peels or dissolves. Wash the item with hot water to remove the paint.
- Carefully check to ensure no traces of glossy paint remain on the surface. Modern brass items are often protected by a tough glossy finish that may require several cleaning attempts to remove completely.
If there's only a thin layer of oil or no finish, you can clean with milder cleaners. If the item is sticky or has a thin oil coating on the surface, you can clean it with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol or a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. For untreated brass, simply washing with soap and water is sufficient to prepare for the aging process.
- Wear gloves even when using skin-safe cleaners, as oils from your hands can transfer to the brass and reduce effectiveness.
Dry thoroughly before proceeding. Wait until the brass item is completely dry before starting the aging process. A hairdryer, heat gun, or oven can help speed up the drying process.
- Be careful when applying heat to brass that has just had the glossy paint removed. If you miss a spot of paint, it could catch fire or release toxic fumes. Dry the brass in a well-ventilated area and keep flammable objects away.
- Now, you can use any method described below. If you're unsure which method to use, read the first step of each method to choose the most suitable one.
Use saltwater or vinegar
Using vinegar or saltwater to age brass items safely and effectively. Any type of household vinegar or saltwater solution can be used to age brass. This method may take longer compared to others—several hours with vinegar and several days with saltwater—but it avoids the need for harsh chemicals, and these ingredients are likely already in your kitchen.
- Prepare the item as described above to ensure success.
- Wear rubber gloves while performing any method to prevent oil from getting on the item’s surface.
Apply saltwater to darken brass. A solution mixed with equal parts salt and water will oxidize brass, speeding up its natural aging process. Use a paintbrush to apply the saltwater to the surface of the item and repeat daily until the desired effect is achieved.
Use vinegar for more noticeable results. Apply vinegar with a brush or dip the item into any type of vinegar. Let it dry, then apply another layer of vinegar if you want a darker shade.
- Mix a tablespoon of salt into the vinegar to create a greener patina.
- You can heat the brass with a hairdryer or place it in the oven at 230ºC for more pronounced results, but remember to wear heat-resistant gloves.
Use vinegar fumes for a warm brown color. This method may not give the authentic look of aged brass as effectively as ammonia or professional aging solutions, but many prefer the 'gingerbread' color it produces. Still, this method is safer and more affordable than others.
- Pour vinegar into a plastic bucket with a tight lid.
- Place wooden blocks or other items in the bucket to create a stable and dry surface above the vinegar.
- Place the brass item on top.
- Seal the bucket to trap the vinegar fumes inside and leave it for several hours or overnight.
Regardless of the method, always wash the item with warm water and dry it. Once you achieve the desired result (which may require repetition), wash the brass item with warm water. Gently dry it with a cloth or apply heat.
- Once the item is dry, you can either leave it as is or apply a layer of brass polish or wax to the surface.
Use specialized aging solutions
Buy a brass aging solution for quicker results. This is the fastest method, but it requires purchasing a specialized product. These products, sold as brass aging solutions, will produce different appearances depending on the brand, but the process remains similar.
- Always follow the instructions under the “Preparing Brass Items” section before starting this method.
- This is not the appropriate method if you're unsure whether your item is brass. Refer to the “Using Vinegar or Saltwater” section above.
Wear rubber gloves, protective eyewear, and work in a well-ventilated area. The solutions you’ll be using contain various chemicals, many of which can harm the skin and eyes or release toxic fumes. Protect yourself with safety equipment and ensure proper ventilation before starting.
- Exercise extra caution if the product contains harmful chemicals such as ammonium hydroxide, glacial acetic acid, nitric acid, or sulfuric acid.
Dilute the solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Read the product label carefully. Some solutions may not need dilution, while others may require a ratio of 10 parts water to 1 part solution. Use cold water and mix in a wide ceramic or plastic container large enough to fully submerge the brass item.
- Avoid using metal containers, as the acid in the solution can corrode the metal.
- Do not overfill the container; leave enough room to submerge the item without spilling.
Put on gloves and shake the brass item back and forth in the solution. Submerge the item in the solution and gently shake it back and forth to dislodge any air bubbles. Ensure the solution completely covers the item but stays clear of the glove cuff.
- Air bubbles adhering to the brass surface will create shiny, unaged spots.
- Turn the item back and forth for greater exposure to the solution.
Observe the color change and remove the item when it reaches the desired hue. The item will begin to change color within a few seconds or minutes, from pink to red, then brown, and eventually black. Take it out when you’ve achieved the shade you want.
- If you want a lighter surface (see below), let the brass darken a bit more than initially planned.
- Don't worry about damaging the item. If you pull it out too soon, simply submerge it again and shake. If you leave it too long, use a scrub pad or steel wool to lighten it and then soak again.
Rinse the item to brighten its color (optional). Rinse with hot water and scrub off the white powdery residue using a sponge or Scotch-brite pad. The brass will appear brighter and shinier than the dark, even patina it had just after coming out of the solution.
- If you want a black or nearly black patina, you’ll get better results by dipping the item into the solution 2 or 3 times, rinsing after each dip.
Dry the item. Once satisfied with the color, dry it immediately. Wet areas will darken as they dry. Use paper towels or cloths to wipe it down, as the color may transfer to the cloth.
Apply a clear coat or wax to preserve the current color (optional). A clear coat or other products will help maintain the surface from further aging. This method is recommended if the item is frequently handled or if you want to preserve its current look.
Use ammonia vapors
Occasionally use ammonia for a natural aged appearance. Ammonia is a corrosive substance that requires caution, but it can provide the most natural aged look for brass, giving it a brownish-green tint that no other method can replicate.
- The ammonia will eventually evaporate from the brass surface, so you will need to repeat the process whenever the brass returns to its original color. How long this takes depends on the quality of the item.
- This method will not work if you don't properly prepare the brass beforehand.
Buy ammonia and a tightly sealed bucket from a hardware store. You will need "concentrated" ammonia or "clear" ammonia, not the diluted household ammonia typically found in supermarkets. The hardware store also sells tightly sealing buckets.
- For smaller brass items, you can use a tightly sealed glass jar instead of a bucket. Tie a string around the item and suspend it above a small amount of ammonia, then seal the jar to trap the string and ammonia vapors inside.
Wear rubber gloves, safety glasses, and work only in a well-ventilated area. Ammonia emits toxic fumes and should never be inhaled. You should work outdoors if possible, or in a well-ventilated room.
Place wooden blocks at the bottom of the bucket. You need to create a "shelf" wide enough to support the brass item. Use plywood sheets or stack wooden blocks to keep larger items stable on top.
Pour ammonia into the bucket, ensuring it is below the top board. You don't need a lot of ammonia, but using more will speed up the reaction process.
Place the brass item securely on the 'wooden shelf'. Make sure it is stable and not at risk of falling into the ammonia. If the item falls, wear gloves to retrieve it and rinse with warm water. Dry it before placing it back into the bucket.
Seal the bucket with the lid and check it occasionally. Depending on the temperature, humidity, ammonia quality, and the brass item's condition, the aging process can take several hours. You should check after about an hour to assess the progress, but be cautious not to inhale the ammonia fumes.
- Open the lid slightly to peek inside, then quickly close it tightly to trap the ammonia vapors inside.
Place the item in a well-ventilated area to dry. Once the brass item reaches the desired color, let it dry naturally in an airy spot. Apply wax if you want a shinier finish.
- The ammonia aging effect is temporary, so you might want to avoid applying a glossy paint as it will need to be cleaned off for re-aging the item.
- You can reuse the ammonia for other brass items, but eventually, it will lose its effectiveness and will need to be replaced.
Advice
- If you have the right lab equipment and chemistry knowledge, you can prepare a brass aging solution yourself. Test the solution on a small corner before applying it to the entire surface, as this list was compiled from various sources.
- No matter the method, you can apply wax or clear varnish to the surface of the brass once it is dry to prevent further aging.
- Use water to speed up the brass aging process. Place your item in a container, pour water to a reasonable level, and let it gradually evaporate. This may not work the first time and may require repetition. If you want to clean the brass before applying any aging methods, you can read guides on electroplating to make the process safer and easier. If you prefer the item to not age too quickly, you can coat or spray a transparent material over the brass surface.
- Another method is simply to use and display the brass item as usual, allowing time to naturally create the patina. The patina won't form as quickly as with the aging methods, but the result will be similar. Over time, outdoor brass items will develop a patina, while decorative brass will change to a beautiful dull black color if left long enough.
- You can use ammonia by placing the brass item in a trash bag with ammonia-soaked rags, then twisting it shut. This method is easier but generally not recommended as it produces a thin, uneven patina, especially in hot and humid weather.
Warning
- If you're unsure whether an item is made of brass, take it to an antique shop or a specialist to ask. Copper, bronze, or brass-plated objects may be damaged by the aging methods described here.
- Do not use Clorox or sodium hypochlorite solutions to age brass. These solutions are more hazardous and harder to control than the methods mentioned above.
- If a magnet sticks to your "brass" item, it’s likely made of another metal beneath the brass plating. You can still age this item, but be gentle when scrubbing and use minimal chemicals. If handled too harshly, the plating may corrode, exposing the metal beneath.
What You Need
Preparing the Brass Item
- Brass item
- Rubber gloves
- Acetone, paint thinner or paint stripper (if the item has a glossy finish)
- Vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or soap and water (if the item has no glossy finish)
- Heat source (for quick drying)
- Small magnet (if you're unsure whether the item is brass)
Using Vinegar or Saltwater
- Rubber gloves
- Table salt or vinegar (either works)
- Water
- Small paintbrush
- Plastic bucket with a tight-fitting lid (optional)
Using Aging Solution
- Brass aging solution
- Water
- Ceramic or plastic container
- Protective goggles
- Rubber gloves
- Well-ventilated area
- Scotch-brite scrubbing pad or plastic abrasive pad
- Towels
Using Ammonia Vapors
- Tightly sealed plastic bucket
- Well-ventilated area
- Ammonia
- Rubber gloves
- Protective goggles
