The Easiest Way to Age Brass at Home [Vinegar and Salt]

Today I will show you the easiest way to age brass piece at home in a few simple steps. For this you will need: any vinegar, salt, mixing bowl, appropriate container with the lid and of course brass piece.
First thing what you need to do is to mix vinegar and salt. Depending on size of your brass piece you need to have solution just to cover the bottom of the container. We don't want to bath the item, just shallow solution on the bottom. Place the brass piece inside and close the container. Wait 6-12 hours or more. If you have a chance, shake the container from time to time (gently). Longer you wait, result will look more aged. But, keep in mind, too long and it will look overaged (not naturally).
After 6-12 hours, open your container and dry out brass item with paper towel. You will notice discoloration. Brass part in direct contact with the solution will look different, but don't worry. Leave it on air for next 6-12 horus and it will match in color after oxidation.
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0:04 Showing the brass condition
0:21 Showing items needed for this aging brass project
0:47 Removing the dirt from a brass item
1:05 Adding vinegar and salt in mixing bowl
1:29 Mixing the vinegar and salt
1:48 Filling the container with solution
2:05 Placing the brass item in container
2:29 Placing the container and waiting
2:35 Checking brass after 2 hours
2:44 Checking brass after 4 hours
2:49 Checking brass after 6 hours
3:00 Checking brass after 8 hours
3:05 Checking brass after overnight
3:15 Taking brass out of container
3:21 Drying brass out with paper towel
3:30 Showing the brass discoloration
3:39 Showing the brass after 2 and 4 hours out of the container
3:44 Showing the brass after overnight
3:47 Comparing before and after brass piece
4:11 Showing the result
4:26 Subscribe and watch more screen
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[@FFD_Restorations]

Hi to you all! Here is a short video how to age brass items at home. Sorry for the short and simplified video, that is because I am on vacation for next three weeks. Videos will be uploaded as usual one per week. Cheers and great summer!!!

[@shukhaaziz]

I was actually looking the opposite, from darkened brass to shiny new looking, I saw a video same principle with salt and white vine vinegar but submerged for few hours, the paradox is same method works both ways? Can you please confirm? Thanks

[@FFD_Restorations]

Hi, it is not the same. In this video I have did the opposite kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIisg4qOg9Ckeqs

[@gunnerdavidson7287]

Thanks for the help man. I've been trying to patina copper for a while and you method worked the absolute best.

[@FFD_Restorations]

Nice, thanks for the feedback Gunner 👍

[@alanr6529]

Informed thank you. The birdsong as a soundtrack was inspirational.

[@FFD_Restorations]

☺️👍

[@cheliae8560]

Thank you! Brilliant.

[@FFD_Restorations]

You are welcome, thanks for watching ☺️👍

[@RestorationAustralia]

Interesting, well done, I may try this.👍

[@FFD_Restorations]

Sounds good mate, thanks for watching ☺️

[@Skeptigal1]

Can you do this with the fixtures still on the furniture (using a brush to carefully apply it) or is the danger of harming the wood/finish too great?

[@FFD_Restorations]

Hi there, It would be best to remove them and hold fixtures in closed environment such as bag or plastic container! This will help to get tarnish evenly over the surface and it will look more natural. But in your case ( only if is not possible to remove fixtures for some reason) I suggest that you apply with a brush carefully on fixtures as you mentioned. Of course wooden surface around should be masked beforehand. You might have to apply several times in a couple of days. Apply in a way to get wet fixture surface, you don't want to drip solution all over the place. Don't rush and be patient! Also can be smart to start with a spot where is less visible. Then you can apply on the rest of the fixtures if you are happy with the result. Note that if the salty vinigar solution stays on the wooden surface for a while it will discolor the wood, but if you get any drops on wood, clean it immediately and you will be fine. Good luck and let me know how it went! Warmest regards Boris

[@margretrj]

Thank you. How would I do big candle holders? does it have to be in a closed glass container or is plastic ok or a plastic bag? Is it ok to wipe the solution on or doe it have to vapor?

[@FFD_Restorations]

You are very welcome ☺️ For bigger items you can use plastic bag for sure. Huge plastic container will work fine fine as well, but it needs a bit more solution to the bottom. In either case you need to cover the bottom with the solution. Good luck

[@FFD_Restorations]

I forgotten to write, container or bag needs to be closed in order to work properly...

[@jordyv.703]

Love those bird noises. Reminds me of my old home

[@FFD_Restorations]

😊👍

[@MrTenkara]

Do you recommend a clear coat of some kind to protect the patina?

[@FFD_Restorations]

Hey Bob! You could do a clear coat if you like that, I personally like without it and don't recommend it. Patina will stay on brass and not wear of so easy. If the brass piece stays in a room with normal temperature and humidity, it will stop ageing process and stay on brass for a long time... Hope this answers your question!

[@Illfsgoonyndndn]

Will this affect stainless steel? I have a knife with brass end caps and a stainless blade but I only want to patina the end caps

[@FFD_Restorations]

Hey! It should not affect stainless steel. But just to be sure, try to mask the surface of stainless steel with a tape or similar... Good luck!

[@jasminecommercemusic]

This made my brass basically totally pink.

[@emilioromero3555]

Hi how would you do that with a 15 inches brass statue.

[@FFD_Restorations]

I would use bigger container or a bag. Liquid increase accordingly.

[@klenny88]

I've tried this on new, fresh brass and the whole thing went pink, but I didn't get the aged, browned look. Got some green verdigris from the salts but it just looks a bit weird with all the pink - any suggestions?

[@FFD_Restorations]

Indication of pink color tells me that you submerged the brass piece or it was too long inside of a container. It is important to keep the brass in saturated air with salt and moisture, not in the liquid. But don't worry. Just let it dry and it should change the color to darker one. As a plan B, you can sand down the brass with fine sand paper and do the process once again. But wait first and see what happens!

[@anthonyz.4560]

I know this is an older post, but did you ever figure out the pink color? I just tried this and got the same thing, pink spots and a silvery pink color all over.

[@shukhaaziz]

I was actually looking the opposite, from darkened brass to shiny new looking, I saw a video same principle with salt and white vine vinegar but submerged for few hours, the paradox is same method works both ways? Can you please confirm? Thanks

[@FFD_Restorations]

No, not really! You have to polish it like I did in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIisg4qOg9Ckeqs Take care

[@user-dx6pt9oo6h]

Hi Boris👋👋👋How are you? I wonder if I mail Rossi something for the restoration to get to you? For a new project !!!

[@FFD_Restorations]

Hi Roman 👋😊, I am great, thank you for asking. Very kind of you 😊. How are you my friend? Sure, you can send it! Thank you!

[@user-dx6pt9oo6h]

I have all the super 👍think about what to send! And will understand how to specify your address to send 🤔🤔🤔

[@user-dx6pt9oo6h]

You have mail? My [e-mail] can be there correspond

[@FFD_Restorations]

@@user-dx6pt9oo6h Sure, no problem. Contact me on [e-mail]

[@funnyyellowdog8833]

Beautiful patina! It even developed some greenish stains. I will try that on a Zippo lighter, since fresh brass looks so pretentious. Looks like a foolproof method without any dangerous chemicals involved. Much appreciated!

[@FFD_Restorations]

Awesome, no worries! Thanks for the feedback and good luck 👍

[@funnyyellowdog8833]

@@FFD_Restorations The green stains (Copper-II acetate?) aren't much resilient towards abrasion; so they will only stick to decoration that's not manipulated much. But at least the brass became a few nuances darker, which makes the lighter look a decade older -- and not like a gold bar anymore. An easy and fool proof method!

[@chriszablocki2460]

Does it easily clean with a wire brush or premantly damage or corrupt the integrity of the metal? And does it need to be sealed from oxygen for the process to work?

[@FFD_Restorations]

It cleans easily with a wire brush, uses a brass wire brush and it will not damage the surface. Container has to be closed to get consistent results.

[@namasayatantra]

Will the vinegar and salt have any effect on electrical component such as digital camera?

[@FFD_Restorations]

I am not sure how much brass is in cameras, but definitely will ruined the camera to not work anymore!

[@namasayatantra]

@@FFD_Restorations well, i do have unused digital camera and just recently chipped the paint all over and it made out of brass. I plan not to submerged the camera but rather to hang it in a closed container with the liquid. Will the oxidation ruin the electrical component? Thanks for your prompt answer!

[@FFD_Restorations]

@@namasayatantra yes indeed. Don't do that, your camera will not survive. Why would you do that?

[@kaitlinkidd08]

Could you do this with a sponge as well rather a brush? Would rubbing with a microfiber towel work?

[@FFD_Restorations]

Might work, but you need to repeat the process multiple times. The brass needs time to oxidise with salt and vinegar in a ¨controlled¨ manner. If you can wrap the item in a sponge or a towel, then yes. Thanks for watching!

[@Ms.MD7]

Can i just submerge in the vinegar/salt solution?

[@FFD_Restorations]

You can, but this method works better. By submerging it will be difficult to know how long it should be there for desired effect.

[@Michael-if5tz]

If I were to put my buck 110 in a bowl of this would it ruin the wood or anything?

[@FFD_Restorations]

Yes, this is only for pure brass without any other materials. If you put your knife, it will be ruined. Don't do that! Thanks for watching!

[@ts6012]

@@FFD_Restorations Short term exposure to vinegar and salt is not going to destroy his knife.

[@angeladometita7744]

hi! does this method work on stainless steel?

[@FFD_Restorations]

Hello Angela! I do not recommend on stainless steel. You will not get the same result, just a rusty piece.

[@angeladometita7744]

@@FFD_Restorations oh okay! Thanks

[@ts6012]

Are you confused by the word "stainless" ?

[@suzannecurry7756]

hi can this be done on brass plated items?

[@FFD_Restorations]

Hello! I haven't tried, but I would not recommend since it is a thin layer of brass. It could damage the plating.

[@suzannecurry7756]

@@FFD_Restorations thankyou ..had a feeling you would say that, ive already done it to a mirror frame and wondered why it went green so quick (within about 2 hrs )then did the magnet test and discovered it wasnt real brass like advertised, i washed it off fast incase it went worse...im such an idiot😬

[@FFD_Restorations]

Sorry to hear that 😔 Could you return it, since it is not as advertised?

[@outrageousalan7780]

Will this work on brass instruments?

[@FFD_Restorations]

It should work just fine on any brass surface. Just be careful if you are trying this for the very first time. I suggest that you do one test piece and then move on to actual brass instruments that you wanna do

[@outrageousalan7780]

@@FFD_Restorations Thank you and much appreciated.

[@FFD_Restorations]

@@outrageousalan7780 of course

[@samuelanthonydcosta8622]

Wow

[@FFD_Restorations]

😊👍

[@andyboa8107]

Strangely I successfully used blend of salt, vinegar and lemon juice to do just opposite, brush off patina and make shiny, so I'm confused.

[@FFD_Restorations]

Hey Andy, that is very good point. I am glad you mentioned it! I will try to explain. Vinegar + salt are very strong salty acid and that mix will attack/corrode the surface of any metal, including brass. You have lemon juice as well and that gives even stronger acid. Anyway, the key difference between aging and polishing (yours and mine) is in time. I have waited many hours and that means that salty acid had quite a bit of time to corrode the brass surface, but in your case that took minutes and plus you had to physically rub the brass surface (I haven't touched mine). So, acid haven't had enough time to react with brass surface and aged it. Basically, you made a good mix of salty acid to attack surface dirt and remove all stains on the brass surface. Conclusion: key difference is in time (I waited over 12 hrs and you cleaned the brass in minutes) and you had to physically rub the brass surface and I don't. Hope this clarifies you confusion and helps you to experiment more and learn new stuff Andy! Warmest regards Boris 👋😄

[@andyboa8107]

@@FFD_Restorations OK, thx. What do you think of using ammonia for ageing?

[@FFD_Restorations]

@@andyboa8107 no worries 😊 I haven't tried yet, but I am curious how it will go. Definitely I will make a video on that subject 😆 Thanks again and have a great day ahead 👍

[@jobybeltran]

Omg.....i just realized I can't READ directions. I bet this works really well tho.....

[@Based_Druid]

Now. Does this actually make the brass weaker or is it purely aesthetic?

[@FFD_Restorations]

Hey 👋😃 The answer is no, does not make the brass weaker. It is based on aesthetic, but in some cases can become potentially weaker in long term if the brass pieces are really thin. Thanks for asking and watching 😉, I appreciate it 👍

[@Based_Druid]

Alright cool. Thank’s for sharing, and answering back so timely. 👍🥃

[@FFD_Restorations]

No worries, you are very welcome! Cheers 👋😉

[@tillmerit8431]

Ugh like 1% of us have a fancy glass container. Why not do a vid without it lol

[@mdrumt]

Why hello Mr Black Bird

[@FFD_Restorations]

At the time I thought that was a good idea...

[@hanskuijsten2380]

You can play around with bleach, ammonia, vinegar and salt

[@FFD_Restorations]

@@hanskuijsten2380 😊👍

[@TankersleyFX]

I tried this with apple cider vinegar, and it did nothing.

[@FFD_Restorations]

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds that you should wait a bit longer to see desired result. Also note after taking it out only after some time will show final result.

[@TankersleyFX]

@@FFD_Restorations I let it sit for about 3 days

[@FFD_Restorations]

Do you submerge brass piece in vinegar or only covers the bottom of closed container where the brass piece sits?

[@karonfowler6101]

I like before better than after - too rusty

[@FFD_Restorations]

Thanks for the feedback Karon

[@jas20per]

This is a very slow process, if you add Hydrogen Peroxide to the mix it works faster, Though the finest Brass ager that works almost instantly is to apply Ferric Nitrate.

[@FFD_Restorations]

👍

[@sdvtracker718]

You need to get a patina on brass in another way. There are many ways and they are widely represented on the Internet. Salt destroys metal objects. In the future, the appearance of a "bronze disease" is possible on this subject. translation from google translate

[@FFD_Restorations]

Thanks for watching!