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

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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

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