Hard to find trap hardware

[mexicantrapper]

If your anything like me your always needing that last minute piece of hardware like a bolt, hinge or washer but the only thing available is the zinc finished at the local hardware store. Right? Well, here's a quick solution. Buy that nice shinny zinc hardware, take it home and put the torch to it. In just a few seconds the zinc will begin to melt and the metal will turn a blue/black color. Let it cool and no more shine. It'll take the dye too.

[krank]

or squirt some solder flux on it which is sulpheric acid. Muratic acid works too. Should turn it blue to boot. Then rinse it off. Be real careful as that is wicked stuff.

[mexicantrapper]

Good to know!

[bigbob]

Vinigar is a lot safer to use, and does the job.