[mcaswell]

Not true - the correct ratio is 9 water:1 blackener as printed on the label.

Below are the instructions from the manufacturer of this product. You can substitute household products for all of the other products listed in the instructions.

Insta-Blak Z-360 is used at a concentration of 10% by volume in water (one part Insta-Blak Z-360 concentrate to nine parts water) at room temperature.

Surfaces to be blackened must be thoroughly cleaned and deoxidized before blackening to ensure a uniform and adherent black finish. Plated surfaces must be free of chromate conversion finishes which can be removed with one of EPI’s E-Kleen brand of alkaline soak cleaners or the acidic E-Kleen 154.

The blackening process will consist of either five (5) or seven (7) steps depending upon the condition of the metal surfaces and the necessity for deoxidizing and activating steps.

1. CLEAN: Aged surfaces may be cleaned without etching in a solution of E-Kleen 146 or cleaned and etched in one step using E-Kleen 111. Both cleaners are used at 6 to 8 wt. oz. per gallon of water at 160F to 180F and with a minimum immersion time of 5 minutes. Freshly electro or mechanically plated surfaces usually require only a short one minute immersion in an E-Kleen 154 solution to activate the surface which will reduce the required immersion time in the Z-360 solution.
2. RINSE: Using a bottom-fed, overflowing cold water rinse.
3. ACTIVATION: Optional deoxidization/activation at room temperature in a 10% by volume solution of E-Kleen 154, 10% by volume Acetic Acid or 10% by volume Sulfuric Acid solution. Prior to charging a production tank, some experimentation should be performed with sample parts to determine if activation is required and if so, which method produces the most uniform and adherent black finish.
4. RINSE: Using a bottom-fed, overflowing cold water rinse.
5. BLACKEN: Immerse parts in Insta-Blak Z-360 solution until a uniform black finish is developed, usually within 2 to 5 minutes.
6. RINSE: Using a bottom-fed, overflowing cold water rinse.
7. SEAL: To displace the rinse water, enhance the depth of black, impart corrosion resistance and seal the finish, immerse parts in EPI’s water emulsifiable E-Tec 510 diluted at 5% in water for a relatively dry finish or 10 to 20% for a light oily finish or the solvent based water displacing E-Tec 501 for an oily finish, E-Tec 504 for a soft “dry to the touch” finish, water based E-Tec 522 for a waxy finish, or E-Tec 520 for a hard, clear acrylic finish. The ultimate depth of black will not develop until a sealant is completely absorbed into the Insta-Blak Z-360 surface and may not develop for several hours.