Colouring Steel

kerry 1999-06-12 23:55:39 UTC #1

Does anybody know what chemical is used to bring out the pattern
in Damascus steel? Oxalic acid rings a bell but I can’t remember
for sure.

TIA

Kerry
Kerry McCandlish Jewellery - Celtic and Scottish styles
Commission/Custom Work undertaken…http://www.bennie.demon.co.uk
Katunayake, Creagorry, Isle of Benbecula, HS7 5PG SCOTLAND
Tel: +44 1870-602-677 Fax: +44 1870-602-956

RING14K 1999-06-14 00:26:55 UTC #2

Hi: I would believe that would be a dilute mixture of nitric
acid and water (always pour acid into water) of a solution of
muratic acid (available in most hardware stores) will bring out
the pattern lines just takes longer. Hope I helped RINGMAN
JOHN HENRY

Pete_Steiner 1999-06-14 01:14:15 UTC #3

Kerry, No need to use anything so toxic as Oxalic acid. Ferric
Chloride is a better choice. Any store which caters to the
electronics hobbyist will stock it as “circuit etching solution”.
Here in the US I would recommend going to Radio Shack to
purchase Ferric Chloride…but I don’t know if you have Radio
Shack stores in Scotland? -Pete-

lm1 1999-06-16 01:40:46 UTC #4

Hi, yes Oxalic acid will bring out pattern in Damascus steel.
You could also go to Radio Shack and buy a bottle of circut board
echant which is mainly feric cloride. Either should do the trick.
You may want to use heat with the Oxalic acid depending on the
concentration of your mixture. These also work well on
metiorites. The finish may come out rough and grey. If they do
just buff very lightly and maybe rub a bit of mineral oil on
them.

cutter12

kerry 1999-06-17 00:58:43 UTC #5

Hi, I thought as much! Thanks for the confirmation. I have ferric
chloride already in stock and I had forgotten about it’s effect
on steel but your reply reminded me of the time when I spilt
some on my mothers favourite stainless steel carving knife!

Regards,

judystroup 1999-06-17 22:56:52 UTC #6

“Gun bluing” will color mild steel a dark grey with a hint of
blue. I’m not sure where you can get it–my dad had an old
bottle and I talked him out of it. If you find it, let me know
where!!

Judy

mmsmith 1999-06-19 04:56:12 UTC #7

Gun shops carry gun blueing as well as something called Plum
Brown.

Marilyn Smith

David_D_Arens2 1999-06-19 04:46:18 UTC #8

Hi Judy,

Try Brownell’s in Montezuma Iowa 50171. They’re suppliers to
gunsmiths & shooting enthusiasts. They mail order all over the
US.

No connection with Brownell’s.

Dave

ironage 1999-06-19 05:01:11 UTC #9

Judy, I colored an antique muzzleloading rifle using one of
those kits over 20 years ago and it is still pretty. These people
sell bluing and browning kits to make different colors:
http://www.dixiegun.com/index.htm
Geo.

jim_dailing 1999-06-19 05:01:07 UTC #10

Judy you can usually find both gun bluing and browning at most
any shop that sells guns, or supplies. I bought some awhile
back at aBimart. I would think that shopko’s and most sports
shops as well. Check out the browning. it leaves a great
earthy brown on steel. There was a friend of mine about 6 years
ago that used the two on bronze castings. I was never able to
see the results, but she really enjoyed the colors that occured.

Jim