[TheForge] Blackening Steel

[Woolley]

Thanks for all the help on blackening agents.  I'm going to try some of 
these other products. cheers.........


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Fiorini & Skiles" <bkmetal at mwt.net>
To: <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, November 13, 2006 11:45 PM
Subject: [TheForge] Blackening Steel


>I use Van's Gun Blue to blacken steel.  I only rinse with water, no 
>stopping agent.  I don't get the rusting.
>
> I haven't used Birchwood Casey.  The only suggestion I might have is to 
> try different dilutions of the product.  Make it a little weaker.
> -Kirsten
> www.kirstenskiles.com
>
> >
>
>
>> 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 pret
>> ty frustrated at this point.  Thanks for any help.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Bill Woolley
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
>
>
>