[TheForge] Blackening Steel

[Jerry Smith]

Bill,

Have you tried TSP as your stopping agent? Most
hardware stores have it on hand. 

Have you tried the stuff that Brownells sells, I have
had no problem with all of their stuff. I even learned
how to do electroless nickle that really works from
one of their product lines.

Jerry

--- Woolley <wjec at verizon.net> wrote:

> Greetings,
> 
> I've been using Birchwood Casey Presto Black and
> their blackening gel ( can't remember the name) to
> try to blacken steel. I apply with a sponge soaked
> in the solution full strength.  I stop the agent
> with water, usually from a hose or spray bottle
> depending on the size of the piece. What has been
> happening is before I can dry and finish with a
> clear the pieces have been flash rusting (their
> term). The end results can be very pleasant
> variations of browns and dark greens, not black or
> blue black. I spoke to the company rep about it but
> his suggestions haven't worked. They include not
> stopping the blackening agent with a water hose,
> drying immediately, swabbing it off with a wet
> sponge, using a baking soda- water mix to stop.  Has
> anyone had any experience with these products and
> worked through similiar problems?  I have achieved a
> nice blue black with their products before but not
> in awhile and not with what I remember any different
> method besides the one I describe.  I'm pretty
> frustrated at this point.  Thanks for any help.
> 
> Regards,
> Bill Woolley
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