Electroless Coloring Brass Pins

A. Hi John. Please tell us more, like what color(s) is wanted, durability required, exposure conditions, etc. Sometimes just telling us what product you have in mind can fill in those blanks. If you only need simple and not highly durable colors, then metal dyes / alcohol inks [metal dye / alcohol ink on eBay or Amazon [affil links] can suffice (these are rather similar to indelible markers).

Brass can be darkened to a brown-black color with liver of sulfur ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] or proprietary brass darkening solution ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . But this may not offer the aesthetic, or variations, or conductivity , or wear resistance or corrosion resistance that you need. Brass can also be lacquered, and it is possible for the lacquer to include dyes to impart a tinted look. Electrophoretic lacquering is not electroless, but would give you a robust painted look with a very thin coating. Paint or powder coating is possible but good adhesion on brass requires a primer plus some hard work or good luck. Electroless nickel or electroless copper plating, or even immersion silver or immersion gold plating are possibilities.

Tell us your additional requirements as the next step please. Where are these pins used and what do they do? Thanks.

Regards,