Coloring brass

[DA45acp]

Ok, here is a question I can't seem to find an answer for. Is there a way to color or dye brass with out plating?. I have brass pieces that I want a bright color (green, red etc) not just nickel. Any thoughts?

[CarWiz]

Don't know exactly what you're after but chemical choices are slim. Maybe this might help.

Caswell Inc. - Dupli-Color METALCAST ANODIZED COLOR

[woodjames]

About the only thing you can do with brass is add patina (antique it) it'll be a dull color, and you'll be very limited as to the range of colors that can be achieved. I think the suggestion of the metalcast paint would be your best bet, that or a candy powder.

Ok, here is a question I can't seem to find an answer for. Is there a way to color or dye brass with out plating?. I have brass pieces that I want a bright color (green, red etc) not just nickel. Any thoughts?

[DA45acp]

I guess maybe a little more information might help. Might get a few more ideas anyway.

What I have is brass shell casings. But then every one has brass shell casings which is the problem. I reuse these for reloading but then so does everyone else I know. I have tried machinist dye but it leaves a transfer in the barrel and after a while causes some fouling of the chamber. Also cases do not clean very well afterwards. Could use nickel but then so does some of the others... I just need to mark the cases permanently to identify mine and make them easier to find.

[CarWiz]

Yeah, paint won't do for that. These are old chemical names but most can easily be "translated" to current compounds. Some may be hard to get, like the chloride of arsenic but there's more colors here than I ever thought about.

Brass Coloring

Miscellaneous Coloring of Brass

[DA45acp]

Hey CarWiz thanks for the information. This is what I was really looking for. May have to give some of this a try.

[woodjames]

Second that. I've seen red, black and Statue of Liberty colors, figured it was limited to that. Ohh, and can't forget the pink handprint from grabbing the outdoor brass knob with nitric acid on my gloves. Good link.

Hey CarWiz thanks for the information. This is what I was really looking for. May have to give some of this a try.