Jump to content

Pegasus by hdrinker - 1:48 - POF - Swan practicum


Recommended Posts

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 months later...

The swivel guns took about a month. After I mounted those on the quarter deck, I realized I was one short for the fore deck! Been counting constantly, just to make sure they were all there. So, of course, one is missing. Looked everywhere. Anyway, making one more shouldn’t be a major deal. Just beating my head!! Also, one of my LED leads broke off where it exits on the bottom of the keel. No slack. Oh well. I might cut a section out of the keel to retrieve the end of that lead. Haven’t decided.

Henry

IMG_0151.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Henry

i use Jax pewter black and had the same issue as I applied it full strength. Then someone commented that I needed to dilute it with 50% water and it retained the blackness much better. It never made sense to me but it worked better when diluted . Having said that I just took them out and they are no longer as black as I remember so hopefully some experienced person will respond. 

IMG_3763.jpeg

IMG_3765.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use a 1:5 dilution. None of my blackened fittings have faded over time and I don't get the flaking and uneven coatings I used to get when I used stronger solutions. I can't stress enough that the fitting needs to be spotlessly clean and free from oils so I wear disposable gloves. I do suspect that some of the results depend on the specific type of brass you are using. Being an alloy, perhaps the proportions of copper and zinc vary based on the type of brass. I do note that since I have been using Sparex before etching my results are much more consistent.

 

I've never used Pewter black for brass Kenny. I've always used brass black. Not sure what the difference is though.

Greg

website
Admiralty Models

moderator Echo Cross-section build
Admiralty Models Cross-section Build

Finished build
Pegasus, 1776, cross-section

Current build
Speedwell, 1752

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Different chemicals are involved for blackening pewter than for brass/copper.  For pewter selenious acid, for copper or brass one of several sulphur compounds.

 

Diluting the solution slows the chemical reaction and produces a thinner and more stable surface layer.

Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series  http://trafalgar.tv

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for that discussion. I will try Sparex after soldering before blackening and cut the Brass Black with water at 1:5 and report. Is the Sparex suitable for degreasing such that the pickled piece can go directly into the blackening solution, or is it best to rinse with water or acetone first?

HD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...