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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Coloring metals

I'm part of a Medieval (I think that's how you spell it) re-enactment group and I'm starting to want to experiment with new style of armor and wanted some interesting colors like black, red, blue, green or gold added into my steel and/or aluminum. I was wondering if anyone could give me ANY suggestions on how to go about this.

Sterling Clifton
- Alexandria, VA, U. S. A.
2003

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If you're talking Do-it-yourself, you are basically limited to wet-applied paints. For your application, I suggest a hard, abrasion-resistant, solid color polyurethane. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and priming. For professional application, all of these colors are available in a wide choice of paints (many powder coat types are quite durable) and in anodized aluminum. Hardcoat anodize is typically available in black, several other darker colors, and natural, which varies by alloy and includes an olive color. For steel, besides paint, you have black oxide, black chrome, gunmetal“ blueing, various colors of chromate upon zinc electroplate, brass plating, copper plating + antiquing, etc. Many of these finishes are also available on aluminum although anodize is more commonly used. Use the Jobshops“ link below to visit the websites of Virginia companies capable of these and other processes.

Ken Vlach [deceased]
- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.
Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
2003