Darkening stainless steel?

blade man

blade man

Joined
Jan 8, 2001
Messages
1,242
Hello all,

I've got a stainless steel clip I'm looking to darken. It's real bright and annoying, and I'm not having much luck darkening it. I believe it's 301 stainless, and it has almost a mirror polish. Spray paint wears right off, so does nail polish. I've tried Plasti-dip and I've thought about spray on truck bed liner. I'm currently thinking about heat coloring it with a torch, but I'm concerned that this might burn the temper out of the clip. I don't really have access to a beadblaster or the like. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good, durable finish?

Thanks,

Matt

P.S. I apologize if this is the inappropriate forum for this question, but I thought it fit better here than in the Blade Discussion forum. Thought you guys might have a bit more knowledge in similar topics.
 
i have heat colored a clip or 2 on my para it ended up goldish didnt want to take it to far my friends endura it greyed up nicely i can get you some pix if you would like they have been done for 6-8 months i cant feel a diff in temper
 
it looks like it depends on what type steel the clips are i wasnt expecting the delica clip to grey out the friend likes it better that way so we didnt buff it back out
10409231_bb1dd3febf.jpg
 
Thanks guys. Those clips look pretty good Butcher! I'm going to try etching it with muriatic acid tomorrow. Thanks!

-Matt
 
I placed the clip in muriatic acid for about 1 hour before I decided to file some grooves along the edges and dimple the surface of the clip. I then put it back in for about 2 more hours. It took a nice dull grey. Not quite as dark as I'd like, but it took the shine off of it. I may stick it back in later.

-Matt
 
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