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Wolfie01/01/2012 16:16:47
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502 forum posts
I understand that I can make things black by a chemical process.
 
Can I do this in my workshop, and are the chemicals easy to find, I don't even know what they are called? 

Edited By Wolfie on 01/01/2012 16:17:16

Springbok01/01/2012 16:26:43
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879 forum posts
34 photos
Wolfie,
Bought some of this stuff at I think the Ally Pally some years ago and think they are still in business think I still have there flyer in workshop filing cabinet will go hunting and hopefully post it to you.
 
Bob
Martin Cottrell01/01/2012 16:32:39
297 forum posts
18 photos
Hello Wolfie,
 
I believe there are several suppliers who regularly advertise in ME & MEW who can supply "Chemical Blackening" kits. These can be used in your home workshop as far as I know without any specialist equipment, I think you just need some plastic tubs to pour the solutions in and leave the parts in to soak for a period of time. Try the likes of GLR distributors or Chronos, I'm sure I've seen them advertising the stuff.
 
Regards, Martin.
 
Mike01/01/2012 16:33:30
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713 forum posts
6 photos
Most gun shops sell barrel blacking compounds which work well on most steels. From experience, good for small items, but can turn out a bit blotchy over large areas. Complete de-greasing is necessary before use, then follow the instructions on the packet for "killing" the compound when it has done its job, otherwise rust results. Hope this is helpful.
JasonB01/01/2012 16:34:33
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25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles
GLR do several kits and I think Bruce Engineering also have some
 
J
David Littlewood01/01/2012 17:13:32
533 forum posts
Wolfie,
 
I have used Birchwood Casey gun blue with success. Despite the name, it actually gives a black colour, which can be made to have a blue hue only if the metal is highly polished and oiled afterwards. There are solutions for most common metals, though each solution often works on other metals as well, you have to experiment a bit. Many suppliers, for example here
 
C&L Finescale also sell a variety of solutions which I have used with success, see here
 
David

Edited By David Littlewood on 01/01/2012 17:15:28

Phil P01/01/2012 17:22:11
851 forum posts
206 photos
Wolfie
 
I have used this stuff with good results recently.
http://www.black-it.co.uk/
 
Phil
Kevin Bennett01/01/2012 17:24:14
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193 forum posts
56 photos
have a look at this one http://www.black-it.co.uk/
 
kevin
Wolfie01/01/2012 17:30:16
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502 forum posts
OK chaps I get the drift. There was me thinking I'd have to search for polychloridethingummyacetylenechocolateorangeethyl acid or something
 
Cheers as usual
Richard Parsons01/01/2012 17:44:58
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645 forum posts
33 photos
Wolfi What are you blacking? Here is a dead cheap recipe which works on steel BUT as you will see from the method it is a bit crude.
Get some Dirty motor oil –yes dirty!. Heat the thing to be blacked to a dull cherry red and plunge it into the dirty oil! When all the fuss has dies down and the thing is cool enough to wipe then wipe it. It is best to do the job outside and down wind .
It Works
Rdgs
Dick
Jon01/01/2012 18:09:44
1001 forum posts
49 photos
The burnt oil will work on steels as many other applications will do also.
It all depends upon the quality required and finish.

 
Hot blacking is the best but operate in region 150 to 160 degrees. Cold blacking as Birchwood Casey and other gunblue kits waste of time except for screws.
There are cold/warm blacking formulas that rust the metal after painting on and have to be wire wooled off between around 7 coats, as used on English shotties.
Theres phosphating also quite rough to the touch.
 
Other metals will require a separate different process namely aluminiums and titanium requiring anodising, stainless forget it too costly.
Wolfie01/01/2012 20:51:57
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502 forum posts
As a biker I can always lay my hands on some dirty motor oil. Just follow my mate's Triumph
Richard Parsons01/01/2012 22:49:29
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645 forum posts
33 photos
Wolfie as it is free get a bit of scrap and see. I think it may well work on rusty stuff but i have never tried
Rdgs Dick
chris stephens01/01/2012 23:06:04
1049 forum posts
1 photos
Hi Wolfie,
Everybody has concentrated on blacking ferrous metals, but you can "black" other metals with the various Carr's Metal Black products.
chriStephens
Terryd01/01/2012 23:32:07
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1946 forum posts
179 photos
Hi Wolfie,
 
Clean new motor oil will work just as well as the 'old' stuff without the nasty toxins. I have done some very good blacking by that method. The 'old engine oil' needed is just an old wives tale (or should that be an 'old engineers' tale)  We used to use new whale oil in the 1960s, but that's quite rightly frowned upon now.
 
Here's one I did earlier (before tempering):
 
 

 
You just don't get much blacker!  It only works on steel though
 
T

Edited By Terryd on 01/01/2012 23:38:53

Richard Parsons02/01/2012 07:27:37
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645 forum posts
33 photos
Terryd Yes I know this but new clean oil costs money. Somewhere in my ancestors was one who came ‘frae Aberdeen’ since her name was Cohen one must draw your own conclusions. But they do not become more ‘careful’ than that. So as Wolfie says you just need to follow a 2 wheeled oil slick and you can get dirty oil for free. Seriously I think that there are various ‘chemicals’ in the dirty stuff that improve the blackening. That is why I always do it out of doors and to leeward of the house. These ‘chemicals are why I think the old ‘uns used whale oil. When using this technique the finer the finish on the item the finer the final coat will be.
BTW Woolfie has your friend never heard of a Kellogs Cornflakes (usual disclaimer). The packets (which are the best part of the whole thing) make almost bullet proof joint washers.
Rdgs
Dick
Jim Greethead02/01/2012 08:24:32
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131 forum posts
8 photos
This is the stuff I use: http://www.blackfast.com/
 
A friend in Queensland is still using some that he purchased so long ago that the distributor has moved twice since he bought it.
 
It comes complete. The concentrate, the small pails with lids to keep the diluted chemicals and labels on each of the pails. Full instructions included.
 
I keep mine in a plastic tub and just drag it out and use it when needed and then toss it back in the tub and put it on the shelf.
 
Jim
 
Douglas Johnston02/01/2012 09:19:18
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814 forum posts
36 photos
I have used rapeseed oil from the supermarket instead of motor oil for a number of years and get very satisfactory results. As mentioned just heat to dull red and plonk into a container of the oil and the steel comes out a deep black colour.
Doug.
Mike02/01/2012 09:24:15
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713 forum posts
6 photos
Interesting that people have had success with new motor oil, because it has never worked very well for me. However, Terryd's picture proves that I must have been doing it wrong. I have had great success blacking small items like screw and bolt heads by dunking them in melted margarine - the cheapest supermarket own-brand stuff. Makes the workshop smell like a chip shop on fire!
Gordon W02/01/2012 10:14:08
2011 forum posts
Old diesel oil is best for blacking, older the better, and better still out of a proper old engine, eg landy or fergy. I assume it's all the carbon black.
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