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
-----

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

(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: