I have no experience with this but is it possible that the brass pieces had a thin coat of oil or something that protected the metal?
Most brass has a thin coat of finish applied to prevent oxidation which i remove by soaking in some lacquer thinner which was done with this.
When I was in the Navy, we had no problem with brass changing colors. It would turn brown, green, black, or orange just about daily. Spent many hours polishing the stuff, and now I hear you WANT it black!! LOL I made a small 10" 50 cal cannon when I was in Jr High. I still have it today and I do fire it every now and then. But one day after polishing it to a beautiful golden color, I needed to dust my shelves. So I went to get the Windex and when I sprayed that on the shelf to dust it some of the spray got onto the freshly polished cannon. It immediately turned brown/black where the spray hit it. I was pissed to say the least. I took it all apart again and back to the rouge wheel it went.
Well I started back on the Oregon by putting draft marks on the bow, stern, and midships. And my chemical blackener arrived in the post and have started to treat brass with it. Also have started to redesign the radar masts not liking the first idea. 100_0910-2 by John Moore posted Dec 30, 2020 at 3:53 PM
Just about finished with the blackening of the brass parts I am going to use, and almost finished with the new masts for the radars. 100_0911-3 by John Moore posted Dec 30, 2020 at 6:57 PM I am using JAX blackener since the brand I used years ago has disappeared.
Have been busy the last three days working on the radars and the masts for the Oregon. I have used parts from the supplied metal etching sprue and parts from the parts boxes. Still have a bit of work to do. 100_0914-1 by John Moore posted Jan 2, 2021 at 10:59 AM My two Unimogs have made it to the US and are now in the Postal system. When they arrive they will be kit bashed into one 3 or 4 axle rig.
Well the Oregon is about done just needing the addition of the Unimog as deck cargo, and placing the Osprey on the flight deck. 100_0918-1 by John Moore posted Jan 3, 2021 at 3:20 PM The Bow showing the rail gun and the drums containing the 30 cal. plus the Gatling guns mounted on the mast tops and two metal storm mounts on either side of the foremast. 100_0919-2 by John Moore posted Jan 3, 2021 at 3:20 PM Midships showing the radar and communication masts, the missile tubes in front of the superstructure and another Gatling gun mounted on the rear radar mast. 100_0920-3 by John Moore posted Jan 3, 2021 at 3:20 PM The stern shot showing two more barrels containing 30 cal machine guns and the aft metal storm mounted on the stern. 100_0921-4 by John Moore posted Jan 3, 2021 at 3:20 PM Now just waiting on my two Unimogs to arrive.
Well the Unimogs arrived in the post. After disassembly I looked at them for combining into one 3 axle version but because of design turned out to not be something I could pull off. So the two were painted and put back together and then installed on the Oregon. 100_0924-1 by John Moore posted Jan 6, 2021 at 11:56 AM Now for folks not familiar with the vehicle, the Missus asked what was a Unimog, I offer this video.
After around 2-3 weeks of work the Oregon is finished and ready to place in the harbor. 100_0925-3 by John Moore posted Jan 6, 2021 at 8:15 PM Twenty-six figures are placed around on the deck levels on both sides. 100_0929-4 by John Moore posted Jan 6, 2021 at 8:15 PM 100_0930-5 by John Moore posted Jan 6, 2021 at 8:15 PM Going to be busy with trying to upgrade the man cave lighting and chemically treating my catenary wire for the rest of the week.
Well the Oregon is in harbor at last. 100_0931-1 by John Moore posted Jan 7, 2021 at 9:58 AM 100_0932-2 by John Moore posted Jan 7, 2021 at 9:58 AM And I have chemically blackened the first batch of catenary wire now drying after rinsing. 100_0933-4 by John Moore posted Jan 7, 2021 at 4:20 PM And waiting on a LED light to try and upgrade the man cave lighting due this evening. 61a7owLCEML._AC_UL3 by John Moore posted Jan 5, 2021 at 7:10 PM
Well I received mine this evening and have installed it in a 9 foot by 17 foot room. Does a reasonable job of lighting all but one end of the layout and room.
Well the new LED light in place. 100_0936-3 by John Moore posted Jan 8, 2021 at 1:48 PM Improved lighting so much so I may pull down the lighting I installed on the backdrop. 100_0934-1-1 by John Moore posted Jan 8, 2021 at 1:48 PM 100_0935-2 by John Moore posted Jan 8, 2021 at 1:48 PM I am thinking about installing another LED fixture or possibly two. Not when gale force wind flags are flying at both the USCG station and at NUMA headquarters keeping the whole fishing fleet in and delaying barge and ferry departures.
Well I just ordered two more LED light fixtures to install at both ends of the room. Same type and model.
Well installed the two LED lights that arrive Sunday for a total of three light fixtures now for the man cave. The mine spur is now bathed in light and the port area is nicely lit plus the work bench and computer station. 100_0937-1 by John Moore posted Jan 11, 2021 at 11:28 AM The area is so well bathed in light that the lighting hung from the backdrop is now surplus and not needed. 100_0938-2 by John Moore posted Jan 11, 2021 at 11:28 AM