antiquing swords

by joe dacciaio
(lindenwold new jersey)

QUESTION: Hi paul i was wondering if I could get your recipe for antiquing my swords and how its applied. Do i soak the whole thing or just brush it on the spots I want done?

Thanks paul

joe dacciaio

ANSWER: Hi Joe,

Nothing to it really. Just take a spray bottle (like a hairdresser uses) and fill it up with vinegar and a fair amount of salt (there is no specific forumla, just a good mix so that the salt laregly dissolves in the water).

Shake the spray bottle up and give the sword a spray, leave for a couple of nights and see how it progresses. It should start to bubble a bit with red rust marks. Apply more as desired and after a few days, lightly remove the red rust with a scotch brite pad and viola - instant antique and patina, making a modern replica look several hundred years old in a few nights.

Hope this helps and have fun!

- Paul