Overview
If you own restoration hardware you should have a bottle of Darkening Solution. This solution effectively antiquates or darkens brass, copper or bronze. It changes the color gradually so you can control the darkness of your hardware. Easy to apply. For solid brass only. Not for use on lacquered brass or brass-plated surfaces.
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Questions and Answers
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Browse 18 questions
Browse 18 questions
and 73 answers
Why did you choose this?
Rockler Store
bracelet is to shiny
meredith m
on Aug 26, 2017
Oil rubbed bronze finish has rubbed off some of my door knobs over time, making them lighter in color and a little shiny. I'm hoping this solution will re-darken them.
Gwen L
on Jun 21, 2017
bracelet is to shiny
meredith m
on Aug 26, 2017
To bring out the etch in older hand saws. It works!
Check Sawmill Creek blog to see discussion.
Check Sawmill Creek blog to see discussion.
Glenn T
on Jun 23, 2017
Does this work on bronze sinks?
BEST ANSWER: This is not recommended for sinks or plumbing fixtures.
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- Steve Staff on Apr 30, 2015
how much would I need to do set of faucets for two sinks......?
BEST ANSWER: This product is not recommended for sinks or plumbing fixtures. It is suggested for solid brass items that are unlacquered that can be submersed in the solution, such as furniture knobs, pulls or hinges.
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- Steve Staff on May 8, 2015
how does this work if you have to brush the product on object instead of dipping object into it?
BEST ANSWER: I brushed it onto my refridgerator handles with a sponge brush and let it dry....many coats. It was taking a long time. Then I saturated a paper towel with the product and wrapped it around my fridge handle...used some tape to secure it and kept wetting the paper towel as it was drying out. My oil rubbed bronze handles had been 'scratched' down to the brass...maybe from wedding rings?? not sure. The darkening solution did work, however it hasn't lasted all that long...couple of months... and I need to repeat the process. But the fridge is heavily used. Good luck!
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- james h on May 8, 2015
- Purchased on Nov 21, 2014
Can I use this for darkening brass or brass coated faucets in a bathroom......? If not, why not?
BEST ANSWER: Yes, I used it on my btass brass fixtures but you need enough of the liquid to sumerge the parts, and you have to remove the clear coating on the fixtures first, to get down to the bare brass. I used a spray on paint/varnish remover. I darkened my fixtures to look like oil rubbed bronze, and no one can tell they weren't purchased that way,works great!
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- Patricia H on May 8, 2015
- Purchased on Oct 8, 2014
I would like to darken a twin brass bed. How can I do that without immersing it? Otherwise, I would have to purchase a tremendous amount of darkener.
BEST ANSWER: I Use this darken solution to darken brass knight heads for staffs I build every year. It can take a lot if only I would submerse them.
Try using a cotton ball with a pair of gloves or pliers. Wipe the entire piece quickly and let dry completely. Using several coats you can darken a bit more each time. After the first coat wipe on the following coats gently without rubbing too hard. It is possible to rub off the first coat with the second. If your pressure is constantly too much, try a chip or natural hair brush to apply the coats. It takes a bit of time. The longer you let each coat dry the easier it is not to rub off.
Carl P. Choquette
Try using a cotton ball with a pair of gloves or pliers. Wipe the entire piece quickly and let dry completely. Using several coats you can darken a bit more each time. After the first coat wipe on the following coats gently without rubbing too hard. It is possible to rub off the first coat with the second. If your pressure is constantly too much, try a chip or natural hair brush to apply the coats. It takes a bit of time. The longer you let each coat dry the easier it is not to rub off.
Carl P. Choquette
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- Carl C on Mar 25, 2016
- Purchased on Jan 8, 2015
I'm considering darkening brass hinges on my kitchen cabinets. How dark can I go? In other words, will the darkened hinges go with black hardware ?
BEST ANSWER: If you soak them, remove them and buff them with a cloth, then soak them again, they will get to an almost black color.
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- Rory M on Sep 17, 2016
- Purchased on Dec 8, 2014
Do you use the product straight or mixed with water?
BEST ANSWER: You use this straight not mixed with anything. I usually pour this into another container just enough to cover the pieces you want to darken. I have used this with brass but you must remove the laquer that most brass pieces are coated with, rubbed with acetone and then lightly sanded with a fine grit sandpaper usually works. This is amazing on other metals as well, I buy zinc coated hardware and then dip them in this for a few seconds and they are instantly dark, looking like raw steel. It is awesome because it saves me so much time vs trying to age hardware with vinegar or other solutions and it is not toxic to use.
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- Barry M on May 28, 2015
- Purchased on Apr 3, 2015
Does this solution damage glass or crystal? I have found an older chandelier that seems near impossible to take apart, and I was wondering if I were to rotate as I submerged the piece bit by bit would the darkening solution etch or cause damage to the glass? Has anyone had any experience attempting a similar project?
BEST ANSWER: I have 2 pendant lights that have polished nickel trim. Everything else in my kitchen is satin nickel. Can this be used to create a satin nickel finish right on the glass shade? Thank you!!
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- Patricia P on Jul 3, 2016
CAN YOU REUSE USED SOLUTION
BEST ANSWER: Yes you can, I usually pour mine back in the bottle and reuse. It will lengthen the time for the solution to work as time goes on and the amount of times used. Usually the darker the older it gets.
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- ANDREW S on Mar 8, 2016
- Purchased on Nov 2, 2014
I have brass items that turned silverish in color when I cleaned them. I want the yellow-gold brass color back. Can someone tell me how to restore the gold brass color? Thanks so much.
BEST ANSWER: It sounds like possibly your items were not 'solid' brass and you removed the plated layer. I did the same thing with silver plate and if I want it to go back to original I will have to have them plated again
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- james h on Jun 11, 2016
- Purchased on Nov 21, 2014
We have oil rubbed bronze knobs and faucets. Some of them are beginning to "wear off" the bronze finish exposing a more "brass" finish. Could this be used to restore the bronze color to the knobs and faucets?
BEST ANSWER: The first question is whether the parts are really brass. A lot of those finishes are applied to aluminum or steel or even plastic.
If the pieces are really brass, i suppose you could simply soak the parts to darken the worn areas and reapply the clear coat, but you'll end up with an uneven finish. In order to refinish them properly you'd have to strip the old finish down to raw brass and soak them in the bds to the desired shade, dry them and apply a clear coat to preserve. If you want a really dark patina soak them more than once.
In any case, you'll need a lot more than a few ozs to do this. More like a gallon.
If the pieces are really brass, i suppose you could simply soak the parts to darken the worn areas and reapply the clear coat, but you'll end up with an uneven finish. In order to refinish them properly you'd have to strip the old finish down to raw brass and soak them in the bds to the desired shade, dry them and apply a clear coat to preserve. If you want a really dark patina soak them more than once.
In any case, you'll need a lot more than a few ozs to do this. More like a gallon.
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- Rory M on Feb 24, 2016
- Purchased on Dec 8, 2014
I am considering buying two wall sconces that are shiny brass (both are brand new). I love the lights but would prefer an antique finish. Could I use this product to age them? And is do, how much product would I need? They are pharmacy style swing arm wall lamps with brass cord covers.
BEST ANSWER: Assuming the fixtures are really brass, they are likely polished and clear-coated. In this case, you'd have to remove the clear coat and then soak in the darkening solution.
In my experience the parts have to be submerged in the solution to darken the surface with any regularity. I've done little things with a rag soaked in the solution and placed on the workpiece, but the results are not even. So, you'd probably need to get a quart of the solution, disassemble the fixtures and soak the pieces in a small paint bucket a few at a time. Otherwise you're have to get five gallons of the stuff which would cost you about $700.
Good luck.
In my experience the parts have to be submerged in the solution to darken the surface with any regularity. I've done little things with a rag soaked in the solution and placed on the workpiece, but the results are not even. So, you'd probably need to get a quart of the solution, disassemble the fixtures and soak the pieces in a small paint bucket a few at a time. Otherwise you're have to get five gallons of the stuff which would cost you about $700.
Good luck.
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- Rory M on Sep 1, 2015
- Purchased on Dec 8, 2014
I have a brass foot rest on my bar I want to change from brass to a dark or near black look. Will this product work?
BEST ANSWER: Yes, it should, if the foot rest is real brass. If it has a coating or sealer that would have to be removed first. Brass darkening solution also works on steel and nickel plated steel. It gives a nice dark color. I use it all the time in my work in a museum to give fasteners and metal parts a nice dark natural look.
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- Chuck Regier, Kauffman M on May 30, 2017
- Purchased on Jun 17, 2015
We purchased a solid brass oil rubbed bronze lockset that has way too much red tones in it. Will this solution work to dark the lockset? Do I need to do a finish coat of something else? Thanks in advance.
BEST ANSWER: I used this product to darken a brass sink where the factory patina had been scrubbed through. I found you can adjust the hue by multiple applications and controlling the exposure time. After some trial and error I was able to make a decent match. Heavy and long exposure of the product will turn the brass very dark, almost black.
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- ROBERT R on Jan 31, 2017
- Purchased on Mar 11, 2015
I have a large copper kitchen sink that had a dark brown patina. My housekeeper used a commercial stainless steel cleaner on the sink, which eliminated all of the patina on the sink and left a bright copper metal finish. Can your product return the original patina to such a large area?
BEST ANSWER: It's hard to get an even finish by brushing it on, but you will def. be able to darken it. I would brush it on and as it pools in the bottom of the plugged sink, continually dip the brush and keep coating the sides. Then, once it darkens wipe it out and even out the color with super fine steel wool. Then repeat the brushing until it's dark enough after wiping.
Also, in my experience the patina achieved with this is not as stable as a natural one and it will probably lighten whenever it's rubbed clean. This might give you a good start on a good natural patina though.
Also, in my experience the patina achieved with this is not as stable as a natural one and it will probably lighten whenever it's rubbed clean. This might give you a good start on a good natural patina though.
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- Rory M on Nov 23, 2016
- Purchased on Dec 8, 2014
Can this be used successfully to darken solid brass door hardware in the areas where the oil rubbed bronze finish has worn off? If so what method should I use to apply it so it will blend in?
BEST ANSWER: I purchased this solution with the intention of simply rubbing a moistened cloth of the darkening solution on flat copper sheets to quickly age the appearance of an outdoor custom dormer. The method I used was ineffective. I found that in order to color the copper to a darker hew, I needed to soak the copper in the solution, which was impractical for my project.
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- RUONAVAARA T on Jan 1, 2017
- Purchased on Apr 23, 2015
I wish to darken a brass post to the aged patina of brown. I have used gun blue and that darkens it to black which is not what I want. Can this product produce a natural plum brown color to what is currently a shiny brass?
Reviews
4.1 / 5.0
29 Reviews
Awesome for almost any metal!
This is an awesome solution for anyone looking to age hardware for a project. I have used it on brass as it is intended for but also on other hardware, it will turn shiny zinc coated hardware dark like raw steel in seconds. I apply it to any metal that needs dulling or darkening.
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Seriously good stuff
We're selling our house and I needed a quick and inexpensive fix for all of the shiny brass cabinet hardware to bring our house to the current century. This filled the bill. One bottle later, we had antiqued brass hardware, which is fortunately now in style. (BTW, our house sold to the first person that looked at it. Really!)
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I have used this for years...
I have used this for years and it works wonderfuly. I do have a hint. The solution is reusable, granted that it does get weaker and takes longer, the more that it is used. After use, I place a small funnel in the top of the bottle, line it with a paper towel, and pour the used solution through it. If you haven't used all the solution and there is still some unused in the original bottle, you might want to pour the used into a different bottle, but be sure to label it carefully.
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September 8, 2009
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I recently replaced a screen door...
I recently replaced a screen door but could not find one with oil-rubbed bronze hardware in the right size. So I bought an Andersen 2000 door with solid brass hardware, softened the lacquer in lacquer thinner and then removed it with a Scotchbrite pad. After about 2 minutes of soaking in the brass darkener, I had a beautiful dark brass finish, which I then rubbed down with some mineral oil. It looks great. By the way, the door sweep was plated so I couldn't use this, so I matched the door sweep with several thin coats of Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze paint. Purchased at a home center, it is a decent (90%) match to the treated hardware.
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November 14, 2008
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This product did not work for...
This product did not work for me. In fact, now I have dark black patches in my oil rubbed bronze sink. In fact, my sink looks worse than before so now it needs to be replaced. Very disappointed.Editor's note: This product is not recommend for plated surfaces. Oil rubbed bronze would fall under this type of surface.
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July 18, 2008
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I needed to age and darken...
I needed to age and darken a new brass railing and read about various chemicals etc , thinking I should be able to find something inexpensive and easy to use. Finally I gave up on finding the ingredients for a homemade solution - too much research and time - and I just ordered this stuff from Rockler. It came within a couple of days, I tried it, and it worked fine. I used the 8 oz size for about 17 ft of railing and posts and had a little left over. I couldn't dip it so I simply painted it on until the brass reached the color I wanted.
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September 2, 2010
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Brass Darkening Solution
I was very impressed with the instant results of the Brass Darkening Solution. I used it on a new brass watch to give it an aged patina, and other treatments took much longer with uneven results. I just submerged the watch case into a cup of the solution and I could see it transforming within the first minute, it was amazing.
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I had about 9 feet of...
I had about 9 feet of 2" bright brass foot railing around my bar that was very bright. Everything in the house was oil rubbed bronze. I ordered the 32 oz. bottle and cut a length of 3" PVC in half length wise to fit the longest piece of railing to use as a dipping bath. I then bought two rubber stoppers to close off the ends (no use wasting the chemical on the inside of the pipe). The 32 oz. bottle was enough for the railing and all the hardware with about 5 oz. left over. The longer you leave it in the darker it gets. Turned out wonderful and save a lot of money by not having to order the railing in the expensive oil rubbed bronze finish. 5 stars!
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November 21, 2009
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Used the solution to darken some...
Used the solution to darken some bright brass hinges to match oil rubbed bronze handles. Product worked well and fast.
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March 23, 2008
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The product does what it says,...
The product does what it says, but we were darkening kitchen hinges to match new pulls on cupboards. Sanding was necessary of each little hinge before the solution could work, so the process was not really easy! I wish then I had thought to soak them in lacquer thinner as another review that I just read suggests. That probably would have simplified the process dramatically!!
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November 22, 2008
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