A simple method of brassing steel, bluing

Hello, dear readers and DIYers!

Many of you know that bluing technology is used to impart anti-corrosion properties to steel. In this case, the surface is covered with a durable protective layer and has a black or gray color. This solution does not always look aesthetically pleasing, and there are ways to coat steel with “turning gold” - brass. In this article, the author of the YouTube channel “Pask Makes” will tell you about several methods of blueing and brassing of steel.

Materials needed for homemade products. — Steel parts — Sandpaper, fabric — Linseed oil, acetone, spray varnish.

Tools used by the author. — Gas torch — Belt sander — Screwdriver or Dremel — Brass brushes for Dremel — Grinder, vice — Abrasive “coral” cleaning disc Manufacturing process. Here is the author's latest project - a wooden hammer. Its head will still be further shaped on a lathe, after which a metal ring will be put on it, which should prevent the wood from splitting during the striking process.

The original idea was to make a ring from a brass tube. But it was not found in the author’s arsenal. This is how the decision was born to apply a layer of brass to a steel tube.

First, a test operation is carried out: a piece of corner steel profile is carefully cleaned on a belt grinder. In this sense, the smoother the initial surface is, the more accurate the bluing and brass plating will look.

At the same time, in your diligence you should not go as far as polishing the material, since small grooves and scratches are very important for the upcoming process. The new layer will cling to them. Therefore, it is advisable to bring the grinding to a maximum of 180 grit and no more. Instead of a band saw, you can use a grinder with an abrasive “coral” cleaning disc. This treatment gives an excellent surface and removes dirt even from holes and irregularities.

The next preparation is to degrease the surface with acetone.

For further operation, a stiff brush with brass bristles is used. It is advisable that it be new, not stained with grease or other contaminants.

The next steps are very simple: the steel surface is heated using a propane torch. And you shouldn’t heat it up too much. Just wait until it changes color to a straw shade.

Now you can start rubbing the heated surface of the part with a hard brass brush. As a result of the temperature, the brass will gradually come off the bristles and be distributed in an even layer over the surface. This layer, of course, turns out to be very thin, and it is difficult to immediately determine how durable it is. However, if you subsequently open it up with mineral oil or wax, it can last much longer than its intended duration.

When the first layer of brass is applied, the whole operation is repeated again: heating the surface of the steel to a straw color and then rubbing it with a brush.

Of course, this procedure can be performed not only manually, but also using electrical devices, for example, an angle grinder with a disc brass brush. This will speed up the process somewhat.

A screwdriver or Dremel with brass brushes are also suitable for processing small parts.

For the sake of experiment, the master processed the second side of the steel angle more carefully, cleaning it to 600 grit. After which he again carried out brass plating using a well-known method. The master noted with satisfaction that the surface treated with the first one was in no way inferior in quality to the second, smoother one. So you can save yourself the extra effort.

The second treatment of the steel surface is bluing. For this, 4 test pieces are prepared. They are also thoroughly cleaned with acetone.

First, the author will use the hot bluing technique using mineral oil. It can be any type of oil, but the master chooses linseed. The workpiece is heated with a gas burner. And here it is important to observe moderation. It is desirable to achieve a tarnish color intermediate between straw and blue.

After this, the surface is wiped with a piece of clean cloth. And then it is wiped with another small piece of cloth, previously soaked in a container with oil.

Then the workpiece is carefully heated again and rubbed with oil again. With each subsequent heating, the surface will become darker and darker. And here the main thing is not to overdo it with heating, otherwise you can “fry” the thin top layer. The author recommends practicing on a separate workpiece. Such a layer on the steel will protect it from any rust for a long time.

Next, the author will try the second method of hot bluing. This time you can see the discoloration of the tarnish much better. Although the procedure remains the same, wd-40 is used instead of oil. As in the previous case, you should try to heat the material as evenly as possible to obtain the best result.

This time the bluing turned out to have a bluish tint.

Another attempt at bluing is carried out using vegetable oil.

Two approaches were enough to get an intensely dark shade.

Next, the master moves on to cold bluing. To do this, a special “Super Blue” solution will be applied directly to a clean steel surface. The solution is left for 30 seconds and then washed off thoroughly. Otherwise, the remaining reagents on the steel will continue to work.

As a result, the surface acquired a brown tint, similar to rust. Now it needs to be lubricated with oil. Leave to sit for a while, apply another layer of oil and leave again. And so on in several approaches.

The author lays out all his experimental samples on a piece of canvas: the most even coating turned out to be cold bluing. But be that as it may, all samples are usable.

The last method is somewhat rough, but it is good for large furniture pieces. The steel is again cleaned with acetone and then lubricated with a special rust converter. The composition is left on the surface for about 30 minutes and then thoroughly washed off.

When the material is completely dry, two layers of transparent varnish are applied to the surface.

The latter method is convenient and cheap to process large metal products and structures. The master tested it on his own homemade products, and they have already served for a long time.

Finally, the master cut two rings from a steel pipe and performed brass plating using the very first method.

By the way, I recently came across an interesting excerpt from a book from the beginning of the last century, “Military Collection”.

I thank the author for simple methods of brass plating and steel blueing.

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The author's video can be found here.

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