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Hot rolled steel patina finish

2002

We have designed and installed a stair in hot rolled sheet steel and have had to grind some welds. This has resulted in the bluish grey mill finish to be removed. We are interested in applying a finish to the steel in order to both recover the dark finish where we have had to grind welds and to enhance the natural look of the steel. A patination with a wax finish has been suggested. Can you recommend a product available in the Toronto area, that our contractor could apply himself on site.

I would appreciate a quick answer as the stair has been installed and the completion of construction date approaches.

Roman Lysiak
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada

This is not a chemical patina, but we have had very good success with taking a blowtorch to each joint that has had the blue scale removed, heating the area up to red or almost red heat, and allowing the exposed metal to oxidize back to that grey blue oxide coating (an oxy-acetylene torch setup might be required if the joint is very massive). After all, red heat in the presence of oxygen is how hot rolled steel got that finish in the first place. I'd be interested to know if it works for you as well.

Larry Wood
- NYC, New York
2002