My first Blackening

[THanson]

LBlack14, if you do blacken those P2's, post up some pics, I think they'd look great!

[One Obsession]

It wont do chrome. It can ruin chrome, but not blacken it properly. Caswell is in Florida, so they do ship here, there website seems to be having trouble right now.

 

There are all kinds of tricks to make is come out perfect. A couple of KEY points.

A pint of each, HCL (muratic acid) and 307 Stainless Steel blackener will last for more clubs than you can think to do unless you are doing hundreds

To make a proper dipping container, you want something thin and tall to get up hosels of wedges and putters.

I found that a plastic quart motor oil container with the top 1/3 cut off works perfect. I made two of them. A pint of solution fills it up enough and a putter or wedge or any club that is not a mallet will fit perfectly. Make one for acid, one for blackener

 

If I were doing a full set, get a good degreaser/prep for the heads. I use acetone, but Caswell makes a very good cleaner degreaser.

Make sure the head is perfectly clean, dont even get a fingerprint on the head before dipping......it will show.

Tape up the shaft with electrical tape tight to the hosel. Prolonged exposure can damage the chrome.

HCL, or muratic acid (swimming pool acid) should be done when wanting a deep darker long lasting color

Dip the head in acid for about a minute or two, remove and rinse with water.

Dip the head in the blackener solution, leave it for a minute or two.

When you dip it, leave it for a minute, and pull it out and inspect closely. If there are ANY small spots that dont seem to be blackening due to a bubble or something, use a exacto blade or some other sharp metal instrument to lightly rub that area WHILE the solution is on the area. It will blacken before your eyes.

After dipping for a minute or two, remove the head and very lightly rub (while solution is still on it) the head. Instantly dip it again and repeat as necessary. By using the steel wool, you will get an even color and hue that lasts longer.

I use the solution at full strength, not diluted at all.

After your final dip, remove and rinse

Wipe down the head with a paper towel

After doing a paintfill or if no paintfill you need to oil treat the head. I have found that 2 stroke motor oil that is blue actually enhances the look. I have a cap that I just dip the corner of a rag or your finger in the blue oil and wipe the head. I let the oil soak on the head for an hour or so and repeat. Once it has set for an hour or overnight is even better, wipe the heads dry with towel. They will be a beautiful dark blue/black/grey

I do the same to carbon wedges and they blacken much darker and much faster than SS

Happy Blackening!

Here is a link to the Caswell page;

Caswell 307 Stainless Steel Blackener

 

So, I pretty much did this on my scotty, it turned a nice dark black/blueish color. I'm having 2 problems with it though. 1, the finish is not even looking. It is darker and lighter in areas. Its not consistent throughout the finish. 2, I oiled it overnight, and now I'm noticing some small rust spots near the sightline wall area where the cameron letters are. Should I redo the process with the HCL and redip it in the blackening? I really want a nice flat black looking finish. Will the HCL remove the blackening finish? If not, what will?

[fore_life]

Hey guys, where would be the best place for me to find the Muratic Acid and Acetone? Will Home Depot or Lowes maybe have these in stock? About how much do they run?

 

Thanks,

 

 

You can find the HCL at home depot in the pool section(assuming they have that in your local area) and its very inexpensive.

[SteveL1]

Multi part question.......

 

1. Will the Caswell Balckner work on a Rife Barbados putter head?

 

2.How do you block off areas you don't want blackend like the groves on the face and the bottom of the Rife?

 

3. How will new paint fill work with the finish? Particularly Tamiya translucent paints.

 

4. How durable is this finish for irons? I've thought about doing a set of Ping ISI's

[Joe85]

Awww man, what the...where are all the pics??


I will have some time on my hands this Winter and have some old Wilson 8802s I'd like to try...

[chinaski]

[quote name='Joe85' timestamp='1451357330' post='12774038']
Awww man, what the...where are all the pics??


I will have some time on my hands this Winter and have some old Wilson 8802s I'd like to try...
[/quote]

I opened this thread for the pics, but then saw that this thread is over 6 years old.

[Joe85]

Who cares how old it is.