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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/408858
John Yerxa - Posted - 06/02/2026: 01:47:07
I'm wondering if anyone on here has experience with patinating raw brass tuners (Gotohs). One of my new builds is walnut/maple, and all other brass parts are aged; I would like it all to match. I've looked at the archives, and this question has come up before, but no good answers.
I'm thinking I would paint the Jax on with a brush - not immerse - but would need to rinse with running water.
Any thoughts?
martyjoe - Posted - 06/02/2026: 03:56:53
Maybe just buy two sets of tuners. Put one set onto the banjo and put the other set out in the Adelaide weather until you’re happy and then switch them over.
desert rose - Posted - 06/02/2026: 04:06:16
Raw brass will do this naturally quite fast, do nothing let it do it on its own
John Yerxa - Posted - 06/02/2026: 23:20:37
Thanks, both, but I was really asking if anyone had experience with it, or had a compelling reason for me not to. The Gotohs stay bright for quite a long time.
Zachary Hoyt - Posted - 06/03/2026: 04:40:37
I've done it, applying ager with small strips of paper towel wrapped around the tuner body and then rinsing the whole thing. It is not my favorite job, but it doesn't seem to harm the tuner, and some customers have a strong desire for aged hardware. I take off the knob and the collar under it, and age the collar separately. This way the ager on the outside can be kept down away from the place where the shaft goes into the tuner. I also age the tips by immersing the last 1/4" of the tuner in the ager. I'm using a liquid ager, so the process is a bit different, but I think the principle is the same, to keep the ager away from getting into the inside where the gears are. If you can avoid having to age them that is always more fun, in my opinion.
Edited by - Zachary Hoyt on 06/03/2026 04:45:57
John Yerxa - Posted - 06/04/2026: 01:23:46
Thanks Zach, that's helpful. My demanding customer is myself, but have my reasons for wanting the look.
I'm using Jax, which is also a liquid, so the principle holds.
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