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Artist endeavors to turn 304SS a mottled blue

I am trying to blue stainless steel 304 grade 3/16' thick on a 48" giant butterfly sculpture. When I apply heat the wing turns brown with just hints of blue. Is there a way to get a mottled blue effect on this piece.

william colburn
metal artist - Fairhope, Alabama
2003

Sounds like your not getting it hot enough, when heat coloring steels a brown/copper color comes before the blues. Just try to heat it up hotter and make sure you use a clean flame and you should get some great blues (especially if it has a good polish) dark blue will come first with a light blue color following.

Good luck,

Jason Aube
- Flint, Michigan
2003

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