Warangan query

kai · 2nd November 2022, 09:42 PM

Apologies Sid, I have to insist: Please describe exactly what you do! (Including any preparatory steps and ingredients utilized.)

There is just too much which can go wrong for us to guess. As you experience, a bit of staining just doesn't cut it.

Regards,
Kai

SidJ · 6th November 2022, 01:36 AM

Hi Kai
I followed the exact steps Alan has outlined above after degreasing the blade and washing it with vinegar.

A. G. Maisey · 6th November 2022, 06:11 AM

Sid, if you are doing exactly what is in my instructions, and you're not getting a stain, it might be because:-

1) you are not repeating the process enough times --- often staining is not a quick job, even with lab quality arsenic I put aside a full half day to complete the job, sometimes it might only take an hour or so, but other times it can take more than a day

2) weather conditions are unfavorable

3) the realgar is no good.

SidJ · 7th November 2022, 04:10 PM

Hi Alan
Thanks for your advice on the variables at play. Is there any way of working out if the realgar is good or not?

A. G. Maisey · 7th November 2022, 06:57 PM

Yeah Sid, if correct process is used in staining a blade, and the blade does not stain, then the realgar is no good.

However, in your case this test has not yet been applied.

You wrote:-

"--- My question is it normal for all the black to simply wash off after say 5 applications of warangan and revert to s silver state?---"

5 applications?

are you working inside or outside?

pretty cold in UK at the moment

you need to work outside, you need a blue sky, you need no rain or heavy cloud, you need around +25C

you rinse gently, you pat dry, you follow up with sun dry

you work the warangan suspension in until the blade is REALLY sticky, your finger tips stick to it

5 applications until blade is sticky is not nearly enough, when I do it, I do not count how many applications of warangan until sticky, I just keep doing it until the colour takes, that can be several hours or more.

staining a blade can take bulk time

2nd November 2022, 09:42 PM	#1
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Apologies Sid, I have to insist: Please describe exactly what you do! (Including any preparatory steps and ingredients utilized.) There is just too much which can go wrong for us to guess. As you experience, a bit of staining just doesn't cut it. Regards, Kai

6th November 2022, 01:36 AM	#2
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 222	Hi Kai I followed the exact steps Alan has outlined above after degreasing the blade and washing it with vinegar.

6th November 2022, 06:11 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,056	Sid, if you are doing exactly what is in my instructions, and you're not getting a stain, it might be because:- 1) you are not repeating the process enough times --- often staining is not a quick job, even with lab quality arsenic I put aside a full half day to complete the job, sometimes it might only take an hour or so, but other times it can take more than a day 2) weather conditions are unfavorable 3) the realgar is no good.

7th November 2022, 04:10 PM	#4
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 222	Hi Alan Thanks for your advice on the variables at play. Is there any way of working out if the realgar is good or not?

7th November 2022, 06:57 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,056	Yeah Sid, if correct process is used in staining a blade, and the blade does not stain, then the realgar is no good. However, in your case this test has not yet been applied. You wrote:- "--- My question is it normal for all the black to simply wash off after say 5 applications of warangan and revert to s silver state?---" 5 applications? are you working inside or outside? pretty cold in UK at the moment you need to work outside, you need a blue sky, you need no rain or heavy cloud, you need around +25C you rinse gently, you pat dry, you follow up with sun dry you work the warangan suspension in until the blade is REALLY sticky, your finger tips stick to it 5 applications until blade is sticky is not nearly enough, when I do it, I do not count how many applications of warangan until sticky, I just keep doing it until the colour takes, that can be several hours or more. staining a blade can take bulk time