"Blackening" steam engine hardware

I am fairly experienced modeler, but brand new to steam and would like to know the products and process used in blackening steam engine drive hardware. I’m planning on getting the N Kato Mikado and don’t want to do anything to damage the drive quality of the engine. Maybe a personal tip or article I could check out? Thanks!

----Rob

Try this:

http://www.brassbackshop.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19

It’s H0scale, but the techniques should work for Nscale, too.

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=83181

I use the stuff.

Rich