The Jax Silver Blackener will NOT hurt your diamonds. Everyone blackens silver with the diamonds in place.
Archives: FAQs
We are a jewelry company that had to pull back on cleaners due to harsh chemicals/safety of employees, and are interested in a fast tarnish remover. Can you tell me what’s in the Jax Instant Silver Cleaner and the Jax Silver Polish? Or if you can’t be specific, are there any hazardous waste materials involved?
The question really is how much tarnish is involved. The Jax Brass Copper and Gold Cleaner is an extremely mild solution that will remove light tarnish and oxidation from fine jewelry, gold, silver and well-plated items. The Jax Brass, Copper, Gold and Marble Cleaner is more aggressive and also contains ammonia. These first 2 products…
I purchased a cupola from a local coppersmith and was looking to age the copper top to a green patina. The cupola is a 36″x 65″ bell shape. How much Jax Green Patina is needed for this cupola? Also does this process compromise the copper in any way?
We use the figure 100 square feet per gallon of product. We would not worry about the copper, as Jax Products create oxides on the surface of the copper and will have no negative, long term effects. We would also consider the use of one of the Jax Darkeners (our preference would be Jax Brown-Black)…
What is your best advice for applying the Jax Green Patina?
Metal must be free of oil, lacquer, grease, wax, dirt and grime; oxidation on metal is fine (actually preferred). Apply the Green Patina with a stiff bristle brush to copper, brass or bronze. Stipple it on the metal with a brush. Apply a thin coat. Do not continue to “play” with the Jax Green Patina…
The Jax Green Patina I bought from you works great, but I am trying to match the patina of an antique weathervane, which is very dark. Can you advise me of any product I can use or add to the Jax Green Patina to make it darker?
Before applying the Jax Green Patina, use one of the Jax Darkeners, like Jax Brown-Black on the copper to darken the weathervane. Wash the Brown-Black off well with water and use a Scotch-Brite pad to remove some of the oxide (you don’t have to be real careful here). Wash the vane again with water and…
Does the Jax Copper Plating Solution work on stainless steel? What kind of visual effects can be achieved with the copper plating solution?
The Jax Copper Plating Solution will not work on stainless steel, but will work fine on all other irons and steels. Different surface finishes on the metal before using the plating solution is one way to get different effects (satin, polish, etc.). You can experiment with multiple applications, but a single coat is usually enough.…
Is the Jax Iron Steel and Nickel Blackener suitable to be used as a corrosion resistant layer in conjunction with a rust preventative clear coat?
The Jax Iron Steel and Nickel Blackener is just a blackener — it will not prevent rust. However, a rust-preventive clear coat can be applied over the Jax Iron Steel and Nickel Blackener.
I’m looking for a treatment for brass that can be applied easily but will not weaken or otherwise damage the metal. I need it to produce a distinctive non-brass look, although the resulting color isn’t all that important. Do you make such a product, and how does it work?
The Jax Blackening, Darkening and Antiquing Solutions create an oxide on the surface of the brass. This oxide should not weaken or damage the metal at all — these are decorative finishes. Our products work by dipping or brushing the chemical onto the metal; clean metal is essential for a quality finish. Washing with water…
Chemically, is there a difference between the Jax Brown-Black and the Jax Black? It seems to me that the Brown-Black is a diluted version of the Black.
The Jax Brown-Black and the Jax Black are actually quite different, chemically and in appearance. The Jax Brown-Black is water-clear (or close to it) and the Jax Black is a blue-based solution. The Jax Black will produce no brown tones at all — the metal will go right to black. The Brown-Black will start at…
I am looking to patina a material I believe to be zinc based, Zamak 5. Will any Jax products either darken it in a similar manner to cold blue on steel, or, alternately, make it iridescent and colorful?
The Jax product you will find most useful is the Jax Pewter Black. You should be able to achieve a dark grey to black patina on Zamak 5. A few experiments with application methods and dilution will be helpful.