Pewter chrome tint for a cantle

[AndrewJohn]

Any suggestions to turn an inexpensive chrome cantle on a much loved sporran to look like pewter? A tint varnish or some simple trick? I want to wear it to my nephews wedding as it has sentimental value but the chrome looks a little tacky! Many thanks.

[OC Richard]

Yes I have done, but coming from costuming as I do my methods probably seem extreme to many.

I got this ugly cantle (top). Not chrome, which would be worse, but shiny nickel.

I wanted a weathered antique finish.

First I hit the whole thing with steel wool, sort of the "brushed nickel" of home decor, to kill the shine.

Then the weathering bit: I brushed Liquitex paint over the whole thing, my standard "grime" colour, a mix of black and Burnt Sienna. Only allowing the paint to get semi-dry, I then rubbed off the paint from all the proud/high areas leaving "grime" in the crevices.

Some would view it blasphemy; I view it a massive improvement.



In the wild:

[AndrewJohn]

Thanks Richard but also found this very helpful https://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/...ad.php?t=75683

[SF Jeff]

Maybe consider liver of sulfur. It's the go-to for jewelry makers. It's a chemical reaction that darkens the base metal but I'm not sure if it would work on chrome. For best results you would need to soak the cantle in the sulfur solution, so that means dismantling the sporran. Brushing it on might leave streaks.

[User]

Hmm, I've got a cantle or two that are in need of refreshing. I'll have to think about this.