Aging AlNiCo?

[Joe Gwinn]

I was wondering what to use on stainless, the permablue has little effect on stainless.

Ferric Chloride will etch stainless steel just fine.

It should be possible to blue stainless steel, if one uses the correct chemistry. Bluing (steel) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brownells will likely have the chemistry. World's Largest Supplier of Gun Parts, Gunsmith Tools & Shooting Accessories - Brownells

[Lyrebird Steve]

I would absolutely love to see some before and after pictures fellas

YouTube of aluminium oxidezer on a new tele-pickup
How to Relic Guitar Pickup Polepieces - Billy Penn 300guitars - YouTube

[rhgwynn]

YouTube of aluminium oxidezer on a new tele-pickup
How to Relic Guitar Pickup Polepieces - Billy Penn 300guitars - YouTube

NICE! Hey, I wonder - is it possible to dilute the solution? So that the effect is not as pronounced? Perhaps with a little water or alcohol?

-Rob

[Magnut]

I have a builder that builds and relics. For him I sometimes provide "aged" pickups. I like to use Birchwood Casey "Super Blue". It works on hardened and chromed parts. It does a great job on the poles and it's great for screws, screw poles and other items. For the magnet poles I prefer to dip just the tip in, pull it out, let it dry a little then rub it across some synthetic steel wool to clean the edges. I also prefer to do this prior to assembly to prevent possible damage to the coil.