how to age some control knobs?

[rawpowerocks]

Im sure this kind of question has been asked many times before so I do apologise.
I have some nickel platted brass knobs and I was wondering what is the quickest and easiest way to age them.
I basicly want most of the nickel off so it is nearly back to the bare brass.

[scantron81]

kick 'em around on the ground a bit. Let the dog chew on 'em, but DO NOT put them in the washing machine with stones. The wife will go ballistic.

[jefrs]

Do you have access to acid? Sulphuric battery acid, hydrochloric brick cleaning acid, nitric if you can get it, (formic kettle de-scaler or acetic vinegar if you have to).

Fill the inside with candle wax to protect it. You could accelerate the process by connecting the positive terminal of a battery to the knob and the negative to an electrode (a large nail).

This will remove the plating, brass too if you don't watch it. Unfortunately it does not really age it. Accelerate ageing by sticking them out in the garden exposed to sun and rain for a few years, it is slow but much faster than indoors, no substitute for the real thing.

[scantron81]

Or you could avoid the environmentally harmful chemicals and just kick 'em around a bit.

[rawpowerocks]

Right I dont have access to any acids but I do have access to kettle de-scaler.
How would I do it useing kettle de-scaler.
Do I just completly soak the knobs in it and leave them.
How long would I have to leave em for are you talking over night or like a week or something

[jbyland]

I recently purchased a Korean squier strat, I wanted to take the neck, and refinish it with an Amber finish to make it look like a 50's neck. I also would like to remove the Squier logo, and replace it with a vintage looking one. Any ideas on what is the best way to remove the finish? Thank you,

[Donnie55]

Originally Posted by rawpowerocks

Right I dont have access to any acids but I do have access to kettle de-scaler.
How would I do it useing kettle de-scaler.
Do I just completly soak the knobs in it and leave them.
How long would I have to leave em for are you talking over night or like a week or something

A couple hours should do it

[flanders7423]

Let them sit in Diet Coke for 2-3 days. Seriously.

[jefrs]

Cola is phosphoric acid, it dissolves teeth too, nice...

Whatever you use, it's a good idea to keep an eye on it. One minute noting is happening for two hours and then it's gone too far. Brushing in the acid helps. If it is a strong mineral acid, use a feather. Formic kettle de-scaler is quite good if used more concentrated than for the kettle, it can take chrome off. Adding electricity speeds things up, +ve end on the metal you want to dissolve, -ve on an electrode or whatever you want plated, use a 1.5V battery.

The problem with acid etching is that although it takes plating off, it leaves a bright new shiny surface.

You can coat an object in wax then scratch designs on them which will etch into the surface. Pretty. Does need conc mineral acids for best result, Nitric, Sulphuric or Hydrochloric.

Don't burn yourself with acid. Wash off with lots of water.