Darkening silver

[eastslope]

I was just wondering what kind of ink people were using to darken silver. I know about the Black Magic and stuff, but I wanted to try the printmakers ink that some people were using. Where do you get the stuff? Thanks, Seth

 

[Dmitry Martinov]

eastlope Actually people do not use any ink, the name of what you need is "Liver of Sulfur". Each jeweller can prepare it by himself or buy some ready to use liquid.

 

[fegarex]

Seth,
As you know I'm not a western style engraver but from what I know most people still use a blackening agent like you said, liver of sulfur or something like Birchwood Casey Brass Black. The fact that silver will oxidize is a plus. The inks and paints are usually used on steels because there is no other option.
That said, the printers inks are usually available from any art type store. And of course there is that special "blackening solution" I use.. Flat Black paint....

 

[Powderhorn]

Eastslope;
What most of us use is "Speedball Block printing ink" #3450. You can get it at most art supply stores. Make sure that it is the oil based ink.

I use a Q-tip to put it on, then wipe off the bulk with a small piece of paper towel, then finish wipe with plain printer paper. It does take a couple of days to set up, or you can speed it up by using a heat lamp.

 

[Tom Curran]

I use "Jax" silver blackener, from JAX chemical Co. Floral PArk, NY 11004

 

[Tom Curran]

Speaking of liver of sulphur, the center of a hardboiled egg will blacken silver. Also, if you have some black gunpowder, burn some(carefully) and use the residue with a little water.

 

[FANCYGUN]

just stick the silver into a zip lock type plastic bag with a hard boiled egg..........silver will turn black and you can then peel and eat the egg................4 real

 

[jimzim75]

I kinda prefer soft boiled eggs, ya think that's long enough?

 

[FANCYGUN]

No soft boiled eggs are messy and snotty

 

[fegarex]

Marty,
Are you sure you aren't yoking around??

 

[tengraver]

Hi Seth,

I would recommend that if you go with the liver of sulfur, that you buy the solid type, in a can, and dissolve some in water as you need it. The liquid type has a shelf life that is not very long. I had purchased a quart size bottle thinking it would last me forever and about the second time I went to use it, it had gone clear and no longer worked. Even if you are very careful not to contaminate it, it still won't last (I found that out with the second bottle I bought!) Just get the solid type and mix a tiny amount each time you need some and you'll be better off. I got mine at Rio Grande.

 

[FANCYGUN]

Rex
I am not joking about the hard boiled egg.........it really does work.

 

[Weldon47]

Egg-cellent idea, Marty!

WL

 

[ken dixon]

I have used the oxidizing liquids but then you have a lot of polishing to do. I recently made some award conchos with alot of cut lettering I wanted black without blacking the bright cut engraving so I used the oil based speedball block printers ink. After I put it on the lettering I removed the excess with a very small squeegee that came with an ipod protective film kit, it worked slick.

Ken

 

[eastslope]

Thanks for the advice. I think the speedball stuff is what I am looking for. I have some black max but I am not sure how to use it. Yeah, I know you put it on and it turns everything black and stinks like rotten eggs, but then do you sand the top back off with 3000 grit or use some sort of polishing cloth to nock the top off.. My polishing cloth (Rio Grande Sun cloth thingy) wouldn't take the black back off. I have seen the ink used on a buckle set and it sure looks great, so I might try that. Thanks everyone, I love this site. Seth

 

[Les Riddell]

garden and landscape places sell lime sulphur concentrate. it is cheep and one 250ml bottle will last years. just mix one or 2 tbls with a cup of hot water in a jar and put it on your shelf. you can apply it with a brush or cotton bud. it works a bit slower that liver of sulphur but the surface is stronger.

 

[ken dixon]

Seth,

when I used the acid type stuff on my work I did like you said, sand the black surface off with 2000 grit wet or dry the polish with rio grande sunshine cloth. Lots of work and not as black as the ink.

Ken

 

[nhcowboy1961]

Egg-cellent idea, Marty!

WL

Eggsactly Weldon

 

[John B.]

Now Weldon & nhcowboy,
Marty needs no egging on!

 

[bronc]

It's my opinion that you guys are a little too eggocentric.

Seth, If you want an antiqued look you can use liver of sulfer or silver black (or a hard boiled egg). But if you just want to darken the cuts and leave the surface of the silver bright then use ink or paint. I have used Rustoleum, epoxy paint, and several different types on ink. Grobet Background Antique is a good product and easy to use. The epoxy paint is the most durable but you have got to pay attention; it dries mighty fast. Good luck.
Stewart