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Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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How to Oxidize my Aluminum Belt Buckle

Someone at a jewelry supply manufacturer suggested that I use bleach ⇦ bleach/sodium hypochlorite in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] to oxidize a brass belt buckle with aluminum finish. It's not working or do I need to leave it in bleach over night or for a period of time?

Any suggestions?

Karina Turcotte
- New York, New York
2003

2003

The finish may look like aluminum but I doubt that it is. If it's not paint, my bet is that it's satin nickel plated. I don't know what color you consider 'oxidized', but I don't think you will be able to turn nickel that color with bleach (which is very harmful to most nice metals anyway). You may be able to darken the finish with liver of sulfur ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] or brass darkening solution ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] .

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Can anyone tell me if liver of sulfur can be used to oxidise aluminium. Or does anyone know what can be used to give aluminium an antique look

Mary Odaniel
small jewellery business owner - Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
April 1, 2009

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