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The early catalogs call the B&B horns "black Japanned". I understand that japanning is a lacquer technique. Does anyone know someone offers a refinishing service or a technique that perfectly emulates the application done in the good old days?

I have heard that the paint could be Asphultum based, but is it brushed on, dipped or sprayed? On some of my horns there is some evidence that leads me to believe that Victor horns had the finish brushed on.

I have to refinish a Victor horn and would like to do it as well as possible.

Any helpful leads or instruction/people would be great!

John

A recipie for Black Japan, that might be simmilar to what was used in the early 1900's, taken from an 1819 family receipt book is as follows:

"melt eight ounces of amber; melt(seperately from amber) four ounces of asphaltum, and four ounces of resin; when melted, add eight ounces of boiling oil, and then sixteen ounces of oil of turpentine; then stir in from half an ounce to one ounce lamp black, and give it another boil or two."

I would think the boiling oil might be something like linseed.

from the "Family Receipt Book, 800 valuable receipts in slected branches of domestic economy" published 1819 page 348 recipie #713

I can try to find other recipies from other books I have if you wish.

All that's missing is a bit of Eye of Newt and Toe of Frog...

Brandon wrote:All that's missing is a bit of Eye of Newt and Toe of Frog...

Don't forget an incantation from the book of spells.

think that's bad, you should see the receipts for the wood stains and lacquers.

It's a list of everything toxic. Those old books loved to use white lead for everything.

Although the ditty on making your own phosphorus was interesting, I'm sure I wouldn't want my neighbor making it.

That is quite a recipe! I am leaning towards a Behlen NC Lacquer Spray can. My wife has a hard and fast rule about "no boiling asphaultum and linseed oil" in the kitchen.

Thanks and keep those suggestions coming!

I know making things from scratch isn't most people's forte these days but I still do it from time to time when I am bored and want to know exactly how something from way back actually looked or performed.

I used one of the wood stains from this book and it worked great but I agree, boiling asphalt in the kitchen would be a tad much especially if one has a wife. That's why I'd do it on an electric hotplate outside if I were bored enough. It would give me something to talk about with the firemen!

I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for when asking for Japanning application information, but as for the application of black japanning technique to metal parts here is a link to a project gutenberg book on japanning.

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/15622
Handbook on Japanning: 2nd Edition For Ironware, Tinware, Wood, Etc. With Sections on Tinplating and Galvanizing / Brown, William N.

If you're opting for a look alike product that is not as involved of a process none of the above book applies. I know of no modern product that entirely mimics Japanned surfaces done the old way. If someone does I hope they post.

Sansenoi wrote:think that's bad, you should see the receipts for the wood stains and lacquers.

It's a list of everything toxic. Those old books loved to use white lead for everything.

Although the ditty on making your own phosphorus was interesting, I'm sure I wouldn't want my neighbor making it.

I have a modest collection of 18th and 19th century pharmacy books, that's no joke either. A disturbing percentage of the receipts called for Hemlock and/or some sort of narcotic or hallucinogen.