DocBlake Posted April 23, 2014 #1 Posted April 23, 2014 I wanted to avoid painting my Britannia metal fittings. Black paint on the guns just didn't look realistic. If I used Blacken-It, a dark crust would form, which rubbed off with a paper towel, leaving a barely darkened piece of metal. What to do? I started by soaking the parts in a 50:50 solution of muriatic acid and water for 10 minutes. This cleaned and I think etched the surface a bit. Then into Blacken-it, full strength, for 10 minutes after rinsing. I polished the pieces with paper towel and Q tips, and while darker, they weren't where I wanted them. The last step was to soak the parts for 10 minutes in "Brass Black" Metal Finish by Birchwood Casey. After cleanup with paper towels and Q tips, almost no finish came off and the parts were a dark gunmetal color. Perfect! In certain lighting they almost have a faint bronze cast to them Here is a photo Dave Landlubber Mike, CaptainSteve, dgbot and 4 others 7 Quote Dave Click on images in posts to view them in full resolution! Click on the builds below and link to the log. Current Builds: -Gaff-Rigged Sloop, 1/4 Scale (3" = 1') -Chapman Water Hoy 1768 by DocBlake - Scratch Build - 1:48 scale -Hannah - 1:32 scale, Scratch-Built Plank-on-Frame Admiralty style -Generic Sharpie by DocBlake. 3/4" = 1' scale. NRG plans. -Fair American 1780 by DocBlake - Lauck Street Shipyard - 1/48 scale - POF -Independence 1775 by DocBlake - Artesania Latina - 5/16" scale -HMS Triton Cross Section by DocBlake - 1/24 scale Completed Builds: -Bomb Vessel Granado 1742 Cross Section - 1:32 Scale Scratch Build -British Capstan circa 1777 by DocBlake - FINISHED - 1:16 Scale -HMS Blandford - Cross Section - Scratch Build -1/32 Scale -17th Century Battle Station by DocBlake - HMS Mordaunt - 1:32 -17th Century Naval Cannon - 1:12 Scale -Royal Navy Ship of the Line Cross Section by DocBlake - (Mamoli's "Constitution") - 1:93 scale -Armed Virginia Sloop 1768, 1/48 scale. -Virginia Pilot Boat "Swift", 1805, 1/50 scale -18th Century Naval Battle Station, 1/24 scale -Armed Virginia Sloop 1768 "Patrick Henry", 1/32 scale, Lauck Street Shipyard, POF, Admiralty Style.
grsjax Posted April 24, 2014 #2 Posted April 24, 2014 I have had good results using the following process. 1. Clean in a solution of 50/50 water and vinegar. 2. Soak in Blacken-it for half an hour. 3. Dry and let sit for a couple of days. 4. Paint with a thin coat of MS cannon black paint. The blacken-it gives the metal a good new cast iron look but does require time to set (I guess that is the right word). It provides a great base for the paint. The result is a dull black, slightly rough finish that looks like painted cast iron does. Just my results, your mileage may vary. Quote My advice and comments are always worth what you paid for them.
ulrich Posted April 25, 2014 #3 Posted April 25, 2014 Bluejacket Ship Crafters sells a product similar to Blacken It, but formulated to be used for Britannia Metal parts. Has anyone had any experience in using this product? Ulrich Quote
TomShipModel Posted April 29, 2014 #4 Posted April 29, 2014 I haven't used the product as of yet but, Bluejacket is now owned by a Model Builder. I'm sure that if you contact them directly he can possibly show you sme examples. Just a thought. Tom Quote Tom Ruggiero Director Nautical Research Guild Member Ship Model Society of New Jersey (Past President)
Richard Griffith Posted April 30, 2014 #5 Posted April 30, 2014 Hi Guys, I just used some blacken it by Blue Jacket Shipcrafters on some britannia dead eyes and it worked GREAT. It gives a pleasing black matte finish. I ordered another bottle yesterday. Duff Canute and MrBlueJacket 2 Quote
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