distressing dog tags

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 8:58 pm

I have a set of WWII replica dog tags and I was wondering about the best way to distress them.

I've thought about all the typical ways and might try that, rubbing them around in dirt, letting them sit in water for a few days, hit them with a hammer, shoot them with a period caliber gun, etc, etc.

Maybe just wearing them around a lot and showering with them etc,

Any tips or ideas? Thanks.

Post by **Dalexs** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 9:03 pm

"BLOWN......... UP.............. SIR!"

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 9:54 pm

Dalexs wrote:"BLOWN......... UP.............. SIR!"

is that in regards to me shooting the tags? hahahaha

Indy506 · Post by **Indy506** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 11:09 am

Unless they are the early brass tags, I don't think they will distress. Shooting them of course would work, but other than that they're stainless steel they won't look any different after the dirt treatment. I've had mine for six years or so and I've been to a many reenactment wearing them. They still look like they did when they were stamped.

Bubbletonic · Post by **Bubbletonic** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 5:41 pm

Depends what they are made of. I can tell you how I age guitar parts and you can give it a whirl if you want.

Two Tupperware boxes, one large, one small. Put strong vinegar in the larger box and put the metal objects in the smaller box. Float the small box on the vinegar and then put the lid on the large box. So you have sort of a boat with the metal floating on the vinegar. I then leave it over night. You want the metal to sit in the vinegar vapour environment and check on it periodically.

I use this on nickel guitar parts, takes off the shine and makes them look old. You have to be careful not to over do it though. Some people use stronger acids for faster results, but vinegar is easier to get a hold of.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 6:46 pm

Indy506 wrote:Unless they are the early brass tags, I don't think they will distress. Shooting them of course would work, but other than that they're stainless steel they won't look any different after the dirt treatment. I've had mine for six years or so and I've been to a many reenactment wearing them. They still look like they did when they were stamped.

These should be stainless steel I reckon. They are from wwIIdogtags.com and supposedly exactly made like the originals.
I reckon they were made to last.....

Bubbletonic wrote:Depends what they are made of. I can tell you how I age guitar parts and you can give it a whirl if you want.

Two Tupperware boxes, one large, one small. Put strong vinegar in the larger box and put the metal objects in the smaller box. Float the small box on the vinegar and then put the lid on the large box. So you have sort of a boat with the metal floating on the vinegar. I then leave it over night. You want the metal to sit in the vinegar vapour environment and check on it periodically.

I use this on nickel guitar parts, takes off the shine and makes them look old. You have to be careful not to over do it though. Some people use stronger acids for faster results, but vinegar is easier to get a hold of.

I might try it just for fun but since I'm pretty sure these are stainless steel then it'd probably be pointless....

Thanks though!

Indy506 · Post by **Indy506** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 7:00 pm

You can still buy the brass style tags that were used up until the beginning of 1942 I believe. Also, the brass tags will look really good after maybe a month. All the sweat and dirt brings out a nice old looking tag.

The0w3n5 · Post by **The0w3n5** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 5:37 pm

If I distress anything, I like to use black ink. You can brush it on, leave it to dry for a bit and then rub it off to the desired level. Great stuff but I think you need to be careful with what you use.

I use the Games Workshop Black and Brown ink but I think they do washes only now, which aren't as good.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 12:22 am

The0w3n5 wrote:If I distress anything, I like to use black ink. You can brush it on, leave it to dry for a bit and then rub it off to the desired level. Great stuff but I think you need to be careful with what you use.

I use the Games Workshop Black and Brown ink but I think they do washes only now, which aren't as good.

There you go! THough I'd like natural distressing, with stainless steel it seems that aside from maybe a wire brush there isn't one. So unnatural it is.... THanks!