Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry

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

Color electroplating

Does anyone know how to electroplate in colors? I am looking to turn stainless steel blue. A novelty gift website claims that they offer electroplated items in colors, however they are not an electroplating service. I was under the impression that electroplating can only be done with gold, silver, nickel, chrome etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Brian Wosnitzer
hobbyist - Short Hills, New Jersey, USA
2003

2003

Your impression is correct. The term 'electroplating' applies only to metals. There are processes for electrophoretically applying translucent tints; these are actually translucent paints rather than metal. A jobshop near you (B&M Finishers / Prismatic Stainless Steel [a finishing.com supporting advertiser]) offers an anodic coloration process for stainless steel, but it may not be applicable to the needs of hobbyists.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

I am looking to color stainless steel. I was wondering if anyone knows how those colored stainless steel coffee mugs are colored. These are the mugs that I'm referring to:

Brian Wosnitzer
hobbyist - Short Hills, New Jersey
2003

I have contacted B&M Finishers / Prismatic Stainless Steel [a finishing.com supporting advertiser] but unfortunately they can only color 300 series stainless steel. The steel that I am trying to color is 400 series and I was told that the prismatic process could only color 400 series black because of the lack of nickel in it.

Brian Wosnitzer
- Short Hills, New Jersey
2003

I am looking to color stainless steel wires for appearance purposes (color is easier to see), however I do not want the color to flake off or scratch easily. I have seen stainless steel coffee mugs that are colored such as the one above. Does anyone know how this is done?

Brian Wosnitzer
hobbyist - Short Hills, New Jersey
2003

It sure doesn't look like stainless steel coloration to me. It looks like paint.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: