UPDATED THURSDAY 25TH JANUARY 2007

By: Pat Majewski (BANYAN) for the Model Ship World Forum

This document was originally published 16 September 2006 on ‘Model Ship World’ forum with the consent of the author.  The author would especially like to thank Jim Hatch (Captainpugwash) for hosting this article.

Disclaimer:  I have no commercial or other financial interests with any of the products, services or suppliers mentioned in this article.  All products that I have been able to locate and validate have been included; however, there may be others available.  I would be grateful for any further information about any new or alternate products, as well as corrections or clarifications to any of the information provided.  This is a work in progress. 

An Introduction:

There is a wealth of information about this subject to be found on the internet; however, to the novice much of it is confusing.  Considerable discussion has been transacted in the various ship modelling forums, and some very useful information can be obtained from the manufacture’s product fact sheets. 

The following is a collection of thoughts and ideas resulting from some basic research I have conducted in trying to find brass blackening products here in Australia.  I hope it is of some value to fellow modelling shipwrights.

I have drawn on the information provided in many of the above sources in writing this article.  I cannot take credit for all of the information provided, and wish to acknowledge the various authors of the discussion forums from which I have drawn some of this information.

A word of Warning!  Consistently and emphatically, the product makers and suppliers, as well as the various sources of information, stressed the same words of warning and caution. “The chemical ingredients used in these products are dangerous.” Even though they are safer than most industrial agents, these products and chemicals must be used with caution!  Wear rubber gloves, a face shield, and a mask.  Open the window and put on the fan.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter.  Make sure you keep these agents in a well secured, safe lockable cabinet; and keep away from kids and pets.  In other words, use your common sense!