Torching brass?

[withravenoushunger]

I tried torching the brass tube of my Caravela clone but the first color it turned was just a dull patina look. The second color was charcoal black. I have no idea why it would do this because I've torched plenty of other stainless steel things with good results. This was my first time torching brass. I just don't understand what could have been wrong. Maybe the tube isn't real brass. Anyone have some experience torching brass?

 

[walt]

You can torch stainless or copper. try a patina with vinegar and salt... Or ammonia and salt!

 

[savagemann]

2 parts vinegar 1 part peroxide for a 5 minute soak makes a nice patina.

 

[savagemann]

This was brand new yesterday. Then did the above treatment.
Sorry, can't be much help with torching.

 

[withravenoushunger]

Thanks. Just regular vinegar or will it work with different kinds?

 

[Josh Sense]

THANK YOU SAVAGEMAN@!

the vinegar and salt didn't work, so I reread the thread, and then...

white vinegar + peroxide for 30 minutes, then a bath, then a scrub with steel wool, then another bath and a quick drying.

I also sanded down and torched the top and bottom accent ring and bottom switch.

one of my beater mods that I didn't like very much got a new 1890s look

 

[savagemann]

Thanks. Just regular vinegar or will it work with different kinds?

The instructions I read said to use white vinegar. I only had apple cider vinegar on hand. Worked fine.
5 minutes gives a nice even speckled finish.
I did my brass nemmy to match the kraken. Looks great!

 

[James Hart]

Ammonia & Salt for about 4 hours...

still need to wax it, but I think I like where it is at now.