The Armour Archive

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me if this stuff can be brushed or wiped on as opposed to dipping a piece in the solution? I want to blacken my helm but it came with a liner installed and would rather not remove it to immerse the whole thing.

Thanks,

audax

I had a lot of trouble with contact and pieces being dipped (diluted solution) using the Caswell system. I think the directions they give make a solution that's too weak. I tried to fix streaks with solution and a piece of scrap cloth but that never worked. Getting the part COMPLETELY clean always seemed to be the dominating facter in success. Maybe if you use the solution straight from the shipped plastic conatiner, but I think it will streak on you. Basically any contact made an un even finish.

Since you have a liner the best way to go is Black Magic from Kleen Bore. I've stop using the Caswell and do most parts by hand. You need to cut the 4 oz bottle with about 4oz of clean water. Straight out of the bottle it's a bit too agressive. You can do a lot area with 8oz of solution. Clean your helmet with water and detergent, don't use alcohol. Wear gloves. You can take a cleaned piece and a cloth and buff a good looking black oxide finish by hand (takes some elbow grease.) Cheaper/easier for single/small jobs. Be sure to rinse or clean with water after blackening to stop the oxide process before oiling. Hopfully some of this will help.

Waveicle

Here's some gutter greaves I made for a friend who wanted a B.O. finish, done with Black Magic, gloves and a scrap cloth.