What is the best way to brown/blacken steel?
When we think of knights, we often see them in shiny steel armors. However, it was quite common for armors to have a black colour, which was achieved by browning or blackening the steel. We sell a number of browned armors in our store, but if you want a specific model of armor that is not available in a browned version, there are ways to create this effect yourself.
Always make sure to wear the right safety equipment!
Black are treated by heat
One way to brown your armor is by heating the steel with a weed burner or a gas burner while it is under the oil. The oil will burn and give the steel a black coating.
What do you need?
-weed burner or gas burner
-linseed or olive oil
-spray bottle
-cloth
-fireproof gloves
How to make armor black with heat:
Always wear fireproof gloves when you handle the burner or the armor while it is still hot!
Step 1:
Put the oil in a spray bottle.
Step 2:
Use the burner to heat the armor. You will see the moisture in the steel evaporate. Make sure you have covered the entire surface of the armor.
Step 3:
Spray the oil on the armor and spread it evenly with the cloth.
Step 4:
Take the burner again, but this time heat the armor from the back/inside of the piece. This way you can better see how dark the outside becomes. The steel will go through several different shades during the process. It first becomes golden brown and then deeper plum brown. If you keep heating it, it will take on a redder tint and eventually darken further to black with some reddish-brown undertones. Be careful not to set leather straps on fire!
The black coating can flake off if it is heated too long, but this can be remedied by repeating the process afterwards on the spots where the flakes have peeled off.
Step 5:
Repeat step 4. Then let the armor cool down.
Step 6:
Once the armor has cooled, check for spots that have flaked off or are lighter than the rest. Repeat step 4 on those spots if necessary.
Step 7:
Let the armor cool completely. Apply a layer of oil or anti-rustspray to protect the metal.
Chemical blackening
An easier way to make your armor black is by using a browning fluid, a chemical solution designed to make steel black. This fluid also works well for touching up browned armors if they have some superficial damage.
What do you need?
-browning fluid
-sponge or brush
-cleaning alcohol
-2 clean soft cloths
How to make armor chemically black?
Step 1:
Remove the grease from the armor with disinfectant alcohol and a clean, soft cloth.
Step 2:
Apply the browning solution evenly with the sponge or brush.
Step 3:
Let the browning solution sit on the armor for about 3 minutes. During this time, a white-yellowish layer should have formed on the surface.
Step 4:
Rinse off the solution with water and pat the armor dry with the other cloth.
Step 5:
Apply a layer of oil or anti-rustspray to protect the steel.
