How to Age Brass Using Vinegar and Salt

How age brass...to make bright shiny brass items look old so that they blend in, and can be used for restoration projects etc. using vinegar and salt. Always try this on a sample first, as different alloys / metals and finishes act differently and you may not get the results you were expecting.
My website is www.bucklehurstleather.co.uk

[@liamr6672]

Great info. I dug around online and everything said "easy, use salt and vinegar", after soaking for two days it was still shiny. Finally someone explains it.

[@alexanderhavens8578]

If you heat up the vinegar to a boil, then add salt, and suspend the object inside the container you can get the same tarnishing effect in 10 to 30 minutes.

[@jeremyp.beasley2869]

I boiled a pint of pure white distilled vinegar then added 1/3 cup of salt. I dropped my small brass object and within ten minutes it was not tarnished or old looking but entirely red like copper.

[@eancola6111]

@@jeremyp.beasley2869It needs to be suspended, not submerged. I just took a piece from shiny to aged in 10 minutes by suspending it over a pot with vinegar and salt simmering

[@zmeiling]

I could listen to this man talk for hours

[@kevindawson2001]

Harry Rodgers is absolutely correct! Great cheap solution! I was a bit skeptical that just the "fumes" would create tarnish, but they did. I have 2 9 inch brass koi from circa 1950 that a previous owner had painted. After stripping the paint I placed them in a plastic shoe box with about 1/2 and inch of vinegar and salt in the bottom. The parts of the koi that were in the vinegar/salt mix didn't tarnish, but the parts that were just exposed to the fumes began tarnishing within about an hour. I ended up putting some wood strips in the bottom of the shoe box so none of the koi wire in the mix.

[@SpLiC3]

Thanks Harry. I bought an antique desk with a brass handle missing. I found an identical one but it was a modern replica. This tip is exactly what i needed.

[@lisar9405]

Thanks so much Harry. I almost bought a expensive solution on line, so silly I know! After all, it occurs naturally outdoors over time. Great honest tutorials!

[@Tzazilas]

Amazing home remedy! I had a shiny bronze buckle for a watch strap, and it didn't match the antique look my watch had, so I tried this method. I took a plastic pill container, I dropped some table salt, some white vinegar, I used the plastic ring of the container to hang the buckle inside the container (these rings that sit below the lid and seal them better) and then I sealed the container. I checked after 2 hours, and it was kinda still shiny, so I left it for another 2 hours (I replaced the salt and the vinegar after the first check), and voila! Thanks, Mr. Harry rogers!

[@skitzostudios]

Excellent information although SHOWING it might be better especially on amounts of stuff. I tried this with excellent results. The vapors are the thing. Using a very small Tupperware container I added salt and vinegar and then coated the walls 360x360 for maximum vapor production. I set my container at a small angle so the vinegar would drain to the bottom and the object would remain in the upper level. I saw positive results within two hours. If I do this again I will use hot glue to make some retaining ridges that better hold the object while allowing the vinegar to drain away...like a dish drainer.... even in droplets. My Tupperware container measures 2 in x 3.5 in. 1 in. THE VAPORS ARE THE THING. Thanks, Harry Rogers!

[@harryrogers]

Thanks for your comments...that will help others. Best regards Harry

[@skitzostudios]

One final update. I found one uneven spot so today I affixed my object to THE ROOF of my container and tried again. MUCH better results. Vapors, vapors, vapors...powerful stuff! Thanks again, Harry!

[@IAMJUDAH1]

@@harryrogers ur video is 6 yrs ago.. but i have a question that i can't find on the internet... why do we tarnish brass for n why do we want to turn around like dummies n polish brass?? we do it for the look of age brass as old looking brass but then we wanna clean it brass yrs later down the road?? it really doesn't make sense at all.. i think that we become dumb people..

[@vajake1]

This was a very good tip! Thanks for posting it! Bob from Central Virginia, United States of America.

[@harryrogers]

vajake1 Hello Bob...thanks.

[@oneecchiboi5412]

Thanks so much for your help! Did this on some brass guitar parts and they turned out beautifully!

[@ScottEdwardLogan-SAGAFTRA]

Harry this information was quite useful, and a much cheaper remedy than the expensive bottled products I purchased from, the hardware store chain. Simply home ingredients and some good informational sources. You've earned yourself a 'thumbs up' and a new subscriber. Cheers Mate!

[@kodiakthejuggler]

Thank you for this. The bit about some brass objects having a coat of lacquer helps so much! That's the problem I was running into. Will use some paint stripper to see if that helps. Thank you!!

[@danrooc]

You made this advice as practical as entertaning... with the plus of good mood!

[@harryrogers]

Thanks

[@danrooc]

@@harryrogers :-D

[@dustinaffinito955]

this is the best channel I've found in A WHILE and I mean really I just watched like 30 of your videos thank you for making videos for me and others if course!

[@dustinaffinito955]

*of

[@harryrogers]

Thanks very much Dustin

[@dirtyblond2332]

"Harry Rogers"... That's awesome !!!

[@thomasthemtman]

Thank you for the explanation for WHY you don’t submerge the item completely... I watched a video prior to this that didn’t explain why and I INSTANTLY fully submerged the item

[@davidparry1982]

Thank you - have you ever tried similar with nickel silver, or have any similar tips relating to that?

[@jericonavas6369]

Is there a way to do it without having to submerge the item? I want to age some buckles on a pair of leather boots

[@sarawagner4797]

If i include say a design in sharpie on the brass would it act as a resist using this method of aging?

[@ajwehrig7068]

FANTASTIC! Just what I needed to find. Thanks so much!!!

[@yogibeer9319]

When you shake the container won’t the vinegar/salt solution cover the brass? I have an old Victorian brass 5”X 7” “Beware of Dog” plaque that someone went insane with the Brasso on. I’m going to clean off the green Brasso haze and try your vinegar treatment. Thanks for a great video.

[@maxaustin3377]

Does this work for brass plated stuff too? Also can’t wait to try this! This is so different from the salt and vinegar method I got from wikihow (which didn’t work the way I’d hoped)

[@FirstLast-vr7es]

Thank you! I need to replace a hinge on a 100 year old gramophone and was wondering how I'd deal with the new, shiny brass one. Wonder no more.

[@CJ-cs8ji]

I've used distilled vinager and salt for an unlaquered brass bracket for 3 hours in clingfilm. It has turned slightly pink/bronzey colour but not darkened. Is this normal?

[@markwoods1504]

Harry how do you add a patenta to a gold plated watch strap ? Cheers mate

[@heardashot]

Jolly good advice!! Thank you very much old bean!!

[@jacobt1045]

Thank you. I have this nice brass zippo and where the sticker came off has minimal patina compared to the rest.

[@alssupersadgarden]

Thank you, use this on my de-lacquered sax to give a nice patina. It looks great!

[@tiwalolafadeyibi283]

Hi Harry. Is it possible to whiten brass to make it look like silver?

[@josephseamons3895]

Thanks, Harry! This is fantastic.

[@lauraberridge9390]

any recommendations for turning a silver zip (on a garment) to brass?

[@fineknots2354]

Thanks for this video. This worked out really well for me I'm a jewelry making and had used a commercially sold product in the past; didn't like the smell and that they worked too rapidly. I like the results of this better as it gave a more naturally oxidized look. It did take overnight to get the darkening I was looking for though, but that's ok; did its work while I slept. Best regards!

[@user-fq2rj1kg8r]

Does it work on zinc Alloy ?

[@fineknots2354]

not sure

[@ICHIBANDIPPER]

Thank you Harry, excellent video. Cheers, Ross

[@gloriafarmer2593]

I found a 11oz nugget i thought was gold took it to kay jewelers and it past scratch test up to 12 carrot. Then i got it xrayed and they told me it was 60 peecent cooper 40 percent zinc. Im just confused. Can brass pass a good scratch test. I have a picture of the nugget

[@nathanaelsmith3553]

will try this with a bronze sundial as the nice blue/green patina has some bronze coloured scratches on it...

[@mukhumor]

Good tip. Simple tech but good result.

[@frankwassmann8861]

Tried this method with the brass item in a dry open container within a sealed container containing the salt and vinegar. Colour hardly changed after 1.5 days?

[@blaberus1]

I tried this and it didn't work for some reason. It left the brass pale with several pinkish spots of copper. I had to spend ages polishing it with Brasso to get it back to how it originally was, and I now need to find another method to give it an old looking patina..

[@user-ch3ut2gz5h]

Thank you Mr.Rodgers

[@BrianB1963]

is there a way to make nickel plated shower doors look like antique brass?

[@devo1785]

Thanks for the easy instructions and stressing NOT to submerge the brass

[@1777DK]

Any idea how to do this with chrome?

[@piperfox74]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@filiporehovec8333]

Mybpiece just turns green and when i remove green patina with watter its nit as brown as yours

[@scottmantooth8785]

*useful information...making a jewelry box and needed a bit of patina on the screws to tie everything together*

[@Shybairnsgetnowt1]

Hi, just wanted to say thank you for your advice. I’m trying (being the operative word!) to create an apothecary cabinet from a second hand chest of drawers and the knobs I have are brand new. I’ve removed the lacquer with spray on paint stripper (I tried using acetone nail polish remover but it didn’t work) so I’ll give this a try. Thanks again.

[@jusb1066]

i am going to try this on a bit of brass i made to repair a brass tool, its in the pot now!

[@RainTyrsdottir]

very useful, thank you!

[@ravenwolf]

Would this work for zippers? Or does it introduce a texture that would interfere with the zipper's function?

[@harryrogers]

Possibly, I would test it on a scrap zipper to see.

[@user-fq2rj1kg8r]

Thank you for this video 🌹.. does it work on zinc alloy? I want my hardware to turn from bronze to dark grey

[@harryrogers]

Perhaps try it on a scrap!

[@edshred99]

Very useful, thank you!

[@keithmcnamara9997]

Great video...

[@tropifiori]

Good tip!

[@t595nige]

Brilliant,thanks

[@timothyhopkins6960]

Wonderful thank you very very much !

[@1450rowland]

That is amazing!!! And to think we eat vinegar and salt, no wonder sometimes our stomachs get up set.

[@morriganravenchild6613]

Very useful...thanks.

[@CrazyHeartRanch]

Has anyone ever tried this on a Henry rifle brass receiver, or any other lever action gun? Thanks

[@MarkRobinson555]

Excellent, thanks

[@dragonbonefist1510]

Thank you 😊

[@neopaltoys]

good tutorial, but I'm confused. You say you don't submerge the piece in the solution, but you said you mix the salt and vinegar in the container with the piece in there. Am I missing something. I put a piece of brass in the container letting it sit in the solution and no change. Please explain because I need the aged look like you got with that buckle. :-)

[@lahawk2931]

He stressed to use just a few drops and not enough liquid that the item is submerged.

[@CalicoCalico_]

God, that's it, thank you! :)

[@MrAsterismos]

Nice, and right to the point. The kind of instructions I like. Thanks!!!

[@harryrogers]

Thanks Michael.

[@pollygolightly9414]

Thank you, you legend!

[@hmayonay]

I'm going to try this on an item for a dollhouse. :)

[@danagarrett2526]

Would this work for a brass-plated item?

[@harryrogers]

If not garnished then probably..but be careful the covering is thick enough..test on a small bit first, and please don't blame me if it all goes wrong!!😉

[@dancelives]

Thank-you...

[@uktony1525]

Excellent tip, now how do you get aged brass to look shiny again ?.

[@iOAHUGROWNi]

UK Tony fine grit sandpaper and then buff it

[@The_Joker_]

UK Tony Rewind the video 😉

[@purnitabharat9510]

+The_ Joker haha

[@garywilloughby6893]

Thank you..

[@professorpythongaming9189]

Is this safe for brass instruments

[@stclairstclair]

keep that salt away from any steel valve parts or corrosion will creep in.

[@romansochacki7678]

Will this work on bronze?

[@harryrogers]

I don't know but it might....bronze is copper and tin, and brass is copper and zinc.

[@LeoLeo-im4xj]

Thanks

[@geoffbell7513]

Harry Rodgers aka Austin Powers. The vinegar tarnished my brass baby yeah!

[@hdb80]

He is the most British person ever.

[@harpsprince7576]

Would this work on an unlaquered saxophone

[@harryrogers]

I would test it first, it seems to work but obviously depends on the metal composition etc, so is not without risk.

[@TheVoodooalpaca]

what next, aged paintings? vintage tools? Haha a new line!Going the other way I have an old 5 foot long saw in 10:1 water:molasses mix at the moment, to remove the rust in preparation for restoring at the bodgers ball!

[@harryrogers]

I will keep you guessing......those shelters looked very good....I like the sound of your saw...of course I hope you have watched my films...Removing rust with a battery charger...and sharpening a log saw!!

[@TheVoodooalpaca]

Of course I have seen your films, anything I think about doing in the craft line usually has a mrwindorchair how to somewhere along the line. Molasses was a new tip, so thought I would try it. See you soon!

[@staceyjda3]

Thank you! I have to age a shiny brass lion's head to match the aged looking breastplate that my husband will be wearing as a minotaur for upcoming Narnia themed prom. Fingers crossed this works!

[@harryrogers]

Excellent

[@antonronnback2847]

if you are short on time a chlorine based bleach will do the job in about 2 minutes, and if mixed with caustic soda even quicker, that also works on high quality marine brass

[@LitoGeorge]

Interesting, TX!

[@maxwesmont]

I did this to my trumpet, in a plastic bag, with a fair amount of vinegar and salt. However, nothing has happened so far. That is after almost 24 hours! Why doesn’t it work for me? Thanks a lot!

[@effinog]

Laquered.

[@elmosexwhistle]

I’ve just put two door handles in takeaway boxes and wrapped in cling film with some white vinegar and salt. Let’s see what happens 😂

[@AshleyK1ng]

show us how to age leather :)

[@EEEMUS]

Thanks heaps~~\!!

[@gonedetectinguk5906]

Im a detector lots of buckles N stuff

[@DLSWV]

👍😉

[@monicaholley606]

Does it matter whether to use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar? Thank you

[@harryrogers]

Hi Monica...I suspect it would work OK...perhaps test in something where it does not matter.

[@collinosgood4935]

I've got aged brass down here Georgie

[@254JROCK]

Jolly good old boy pip pip and all that cheers mate

[@Based_Druid]

This man makes metal age like my girlfriend makes me age.

[@LJay-pv8lm]

1:22

[@StuUae]

Ok .... Why would anyone give a thumbs down to the is and his method ...Oh I know why because they can ..Knobs 😂😂

[@GlamBammers]

Stu Williamson because he took too long to get to the point

[@vwbustube]

www.sciencecompany.com list methods for practically every metal you could patinate based upon the color you wish to achieve. I love ammonium and salt for a deep turquoise on copper. Cheers!

[@harryrogers]

Thanks..interesting.

[@RBailey373]

Didn't work at all, not even on the thinnest of brass. Left overnight. No change.

[@harryrogers]

Hi ..is there by any chance a lacquer on the brass Adriana?

[@RBailey373]

@@harryrogers No, there isn't a lacquer finish. It's a thin, hollow back brass charm which is totally raw. I even used extra vinegar to pump up the fumes. Item did not touch the liquid at all. I'm genuinely baffled how you got that deep finish on that thick belt buckle?

[@harryrogers]

@@RBailey373 OK I am really puzzled...I wonder if it's a yellow metal not brass, as this treatment has never failed. Rgds Harry

[@RBailey373]

@@harryrogers It's vintage brass. I'll try this method on something else and see what happens. Thank you for the responses.