The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Oxidizing Stainless Fasteners

 

I am trying to find a way to put an "antique look" finish on stainless steel screw heads for use in the marine industry. The "bright" or "polished" look of stainless is distracting and detracts from the look of a boat's wood interior when the screw heads are exposed, particularly when use to hold trim. I would like to give the screw heads a black or "antique brass" finish by oxidizing or chemically changing the color of the screw head.

Any thoughts on how I might accomplish this?

Chip Lawson
- St. Petersburg, Florida

---

Try putting in a request to quote for blackening of stainless steel - it can be done and a local finishing shop should offer it.

Martin Trigg-Hogarth
surface treatment shop - Stroud, Glos, England
 

Try plate copper first then, Black nickel. After that, polish slight off the black nickel. Then you will get a very "antique" looking product. I did this for some client before, on furnitures.

Charles Lee
- Taiwan