Experiments in Japanning

[@HandToolRescue]

Fantastic review! I am actually going to do a dedicated video on all the japanning methods I have tired.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Can I just say 1st Sgt. Koepp and I are blown away that you have commented on one of our videos!!! We LOVE your channel

[@wayneschmidt490]

My wife and I collect and restore antique sewing machines. It's important to us to be as historically correct as possible for both the designs and how they were applied. Your excellent video on Japanning is what we needed to experiment with restoring the japan finishes that dominated sewing machines for almost a century. Thank you very much.

[@carmencolon3520]

Have you used cold japanning to restore the sewing machine? Please share

[@wayneschmidt490]

@@carmencolon3520 I've never heard of "cold Japanning." I'll look into it. Thank you!

[@ronthornton2583]

Wow. I'm just getting into restoring old Stanley wood planes and came across the term "Japanning". Your video was just what I needed. Thanks.

[@mmccorm11]

welcome to the world of hand planes!

[@odietarceo]

So timely! I want to experiment with japanning some phonograph parts this summer. You gave the best info I could find! Thanks

[@WestKentuckyPrepper1]

Great video. I was wondering how they Japanned things and your video really explained a lot. Thanks

[@johnstrunck3659]

Vibroplex telegraph semiautomatic keys also used Japaning on thier top end bugs in the 40's. Still shiney to this day. Thanks for explaining this technique.

[@markneedham752]

Gilsonite from Renaissance Graphic Arts, bought some, very nice service. Bought 4 lbs, delivery to Australia is an arm, a leg, 2 shirts and loose change from the ash tray in the car. Turpentine Flash point is 40C, must rise when mixed with other stuff...? Perhaps 400F is OK...?

[@TangoCharlieAlpha]

Wonderful video and information! I also completely agree with you views regarding how the "modern" person sees time, as opposed to how they viewed things 100-200 years ago. That's how we have lost a lot of valuable knowledge over the years. It's the very same reason why I prefer an old tool over a new one. The old ones were built to last, and didn't come from a disposable society like ours. Thank you for sharing!! Subscribed as well. :)

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Thanks for the wonderful comment!

[@thomasgronek6469]

It looks great , thanks for the recipe. Is there any particular reason why boiled linseed oil is used rather than raw ?

[@UniqueRestorations]

Hi 1st Sargent Im just in the process of Restoring something that needs Japaning, The information you gave will be very helpful. I have one question though, if i can only paint and cure one side at a time can the Japanning be reheated to allow me to paint the other side. I only ask ask it may be tricky to do both sides at the same time and support it. Thank you for sharing this video. Regards Brian

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Excellent question. It may require some experimentation and practice first. If you had a disposable item like a cheap can like in the video, it could help you see what to expect without damaging your piece in the learning process. I believe, once one side is thoroughly baked and hardened, it shouldn't get soft at the lower temperatures needed for the opposite side. I believe Hand Tool Rescue's japanning video goes into bake hardness and durability. Hope this helps and I hope your project turns out great!

[@UniqueRestorations]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS Thank you for taking the time to reply. Regards Brian

[@NGBiGLlama]

Thanks for the video. It is indeed a bit difficult to find anything on japanning and how to make it. I got a early 20th century Singer sewing machine that I am restoring and in places the japanning has come off. This helped a lot :)

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

I'm glad we could help. Japanning is a process that overlaps many areas of history and making/restoration. The biggest thing I've noticed is watching your baking times. Time could easily vary based on your equipment. On my last items, I lengthened the baking times and really enjoyed the results. I haven't tried the cold japanning yet, though.

[@jonathangomez9548]

Another awesome video who needs bob villa when you have 1st sgt

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

I find myself saying that often, feel very fortunate to have him as my "Top".

[@kylemccormick4589]

Love your videos. Wondering if anyone has an interest talking through period tobacco/pipe accoutrements. As a pipe collector, I’ve often wondered to what standards a reenactor holds their tobacco pipe, if any particular brands are notably passing for the period, what criteria are taken into account (stem materials, bowl finishes, subtlety of branding, etc), and what tobacco profiles folks lean toward (or even, how picky the committed reenactor is on this front). Thanks for the great content!

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Amazing question. I'm not an expert in this particular field but can share what little I know. Pipes, broadly speaking, haven't changed a whole lot. On non clay pipes, which were very common, the mouth pieces would have been gutta percha rather than modern plastic. I currently use a wonderful pipe from the Sutler of Fort Scott. Townsends, did a few videos on historic tobacco. Soldier carved pipes are beautiful and I've heard of a person or two carving their own. We just evaluated several original Sharpshooter pipes. Some reenactors use original pipes. Dug clay ones can still be purchased quite affordably. I don't know of any particular brand history, though.

[@mechmania8450]

It seems to me that in the olden days they would have used something which was readily available. I have been machining cast iron and the dust contains lots of carbon black. Also if you have ever serviced a dirty diesel engine the carbon black slime sticks to everything and can be baked on.

[@hamm6035]

Good post. When you said tape I remembered using a high temp electrical tape when I was a maintenance electrician. I remember it rated over 500 degrees. Check the internet. Sounds like a fun project. Please post the results.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

I'll have pick some up and do some more experimenting. Thanks for your great comments as always.

[@captainpanda5533]

Have you done any experiments with tinting or coloring your japanning finish at all?

[@willrogers530]

I have several Singer Sewing Machines that have areas where the japanning has fallen off in small spots or areas that are larger. My question is whether this new coat of T A O recipe can be used as a touch-up on just exposed spots or exposed areas of metal and will it melt and blend together under heat, with the Old Japanning to form a healing smooth surface. Or does the Old Japanning have to be completely removed?

[@carmencolon3520]

Hope to find a video using cold japanning.

[@mmccorm11]

Can you post an update video with what you've learned since?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

What I really learned is the importance of cook time and temp. If after the second bake it cooled and was still tacky, I put it back in and baked longer. That turned out perfect for me. If someone did a lot of this, something with a more precise temperature control would be definitely worth it.

[@mmccorm11]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS Good deal amigo. So just 2 parts BLO, 5 parts turp, and 3 parts Asphaltum - would it hurt to add any japan drier?

[@mmccorm11]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS How long does it take to get up to full strength after baking? I find that the tack is gone after 2 bakes (second at 350) BUT if I buff it with a cloth it loses its shine and I can dnet it with my fingernail pretty easily.

[@kpkndusa]

I would like to try this for japanning my tintype plates, seems to be a more authentic solution. Thanks.

[@jerrywhidby.]

I wonder if you could powder coat with the asphaltum? What is the purpose of the linseed oil?

[@mikesmicroshop4385]

On the cheep chip brushes if you take some thin Super glue and soak the bristles close to the feral they will stay put!

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Great tip! I'll have to try that out.

[@lhop9583]

I have a few pieces I've soldered already and want to Japan bake. My question is, will the solder melt out of the joints while baking or should it be fine? Thanks guys!

[@markneedham752]

Well, guess you found out, that the solder melts....!

[@lhop9583]

@@markneedham752 I totally forgot about this lol.

[@dag36523]

Can tou touch up an old finished item such as an old Singer sewing machine. Certain areas have rubbed off. Can you go oer the areas that have not rubbed off I guess is the real question. Or do you need to strip it all off. Thank You!

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Excellent question. This type of japanning requires baking, so I'm not sure about touching up. Hand Tool Rescue's channel did an in depth recipe comparison and included how he uses modern paints to replicate japanning without baking. That might be something to look into, though it may not be a perfect match. If you're the experimental type of person, you may consider running some experiments on scraps of metal until you find a match that works.

[@dfapetrie]

Hey Top, I just don't know if I can respect a man that makes his grilled cheese sandwich in a microwave.

[@siestatime4638]

The ratios you gave are all according to weight and not volume?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Yes, technically. I ended up weighing the ingredients because I didn't have a measuring cup precise enough. Good comment.

[@joshuabale4923]

You guys should play war of rights. Its a great civil war game.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Some of the company does. I've heard good things.

[@monalisasmoustache]

Where do you get asphaltum? I know it as an oil paint that I can't find anymore. Thanks.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Pure asphaltum isn't a paint. It's like powdered tar. Try searching asphaltum for sale and I think I got mine from a place called renaissance graphic arts. They have a website.

[@crabmansteve6844]

Just as an aside, you absolutely cannot use the regular hardware turpentine and BLO. You need the real, pure stuff if you're after that super authentic look. Hardware store stuff has additives that the turp and BLO back in the day didn't have at all. It will work but it won't be as good as it can be.

[@benyoumans9072]

I have read that you do not stir it before you apply it. All you do is pick up undissolved particles and cause lumps in the finish.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Possibly. If the mixture is done well everything should dissolve or distribute due to the turpentine. If there are a lot of unmixed bits more turpentine might be needed. I haven't had any problems with mixing but thank you for sharing a very worthy idea to consider.

[@lawr46]

Could you provide a link to the recipe on you website as I can't find it.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Try this out: www.2ndusss.com/uniforms-and-gear/an-actual-japanning-how-to-yes

[@stevenjohnson2273]

Interesting. Thanks

[@TheArizonaFrontiersman]

What is the cold Japanning recipe?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Great question. In old recipe books, cold Japanning typically refers to a lacquer style paint one might see on carriages or Japanese woodwork.

[@TheArizonaFrontiersman]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS Thank you very much!

[@terrigelbaum8066]

Vintage sewing machine.