coloring a stainless blade

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
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Hi, Might be a stupid question...But here it goes seen a few threads in here about people customizing thier carbon blades a little (gun bluing, Patina....etc.) was wondering if anyone knew of a way to color or treat a stainless blade (without damging the corrosion resistant properties) I realize thismight be diff to impossible as the steel is called stainless. but hay stupid question or not I don't know the answer so I thought I'd run it up the flagpole and see who salutes. Thanks everyone for all your help, this place has replaced the bar as my favorite hangout.:
 
Gibson fan I just took you advice and posted over there Thank.....Pict I value my crayolas too much to risk cutting them up there is something about a 63 pack that just isnt as cool....LOL Thanks Guys:)
 
I've dipped D2 and a stainless Mora Clipper in Radio Shack etching solution and got nice patinas.
 
did it effect the corrosion resistance of the stainless steel as far as you can tell,
and how long did you dip it in for?? amd did you dry it afterward?? Thanks.
 
RescueRiley said:
did it effect the corrosion resistance of the stainless steel as far as you can tell, and how long did you dip it in for?? amd did you dry it afterward?? Thanks.
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It didn't take very long. 15-30 seconds perhaps. Dip it for ten seconds. Give it quick look, and see if you want to dunk it for another ten seconds. When you're happy, rinse it with water and then dry.

I've not yet tested the corrosion resistance, but I can't imagine it would affect it in any way (although a smooth shiny surface is probably more resistant than a satin one.)
 
I apologise if this is an imposition as I am unable to effectively post pics myself...but would it be possible for you to post one of the finished product?? if not thats totally cool too...and thanks for the help so far.
 
Some stainless is "pickled" or passivated to created a more corrosion resistant surface. That is commonly done with processing tanks and such. Nitric acid was used in the processes I was told about (photo tech training).

Stainless can be electroplated. I wonder what Kershaw uses for the rainbow finish on some of their knives? I found a whole page of different processes on Google: http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=245656

It would be cool to get colors like anodized aluminum and rainbows in a home shop. Looks like most of the electroplating processes require a highly polished surface too.
 
I think the short answer is that good stainless isn't too easy to paint, powdercoat, or give color too.

Etching would work, but then you have to be cognizant that you are creating pores in the surface of the metal, which is kinda contrary to having stainless to begin with.

My background is anodizing aluminum, I've done etching on both alum. and carbon steel, Stainless is it's own animal.
 
I believe you can Dura-Coat stainless. It is a thin film and looks like hard anodizing but in colors. A friend of mine does a lot with it and says it is tougher than blueing. A starter setup is a little spendy, but if you already have an airbrush you could just get the paints. Would have to do quite a bit of Moras to make 50 bucks worth of Dura-Coat pay though.:D
 
I've applied KG Gunkote to dozens of stainless knives with great results. I believe it's the same stuff Reeve uses on the one piece knives, I've used quite a few colors and patterns. Let me know if you'd like some more details :)
 
MikeyTheBull said:
I've applied KG Gunkote to dozens of stainless knives with great results. I believe it's the same stuff Reeve uses on the one piece knives, I've used quite a few colors and patterns. Let me know if you'd like some more details :)
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How much would it cost to do a 1990 Suburban 4WD? ;)

Seriously, you could have a ball with stuff like that. Do you use the bake on or air cure or....?
 
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