Darkening stainless

Sean Yaw

Sean Yaw

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
Messages
417
I am contemplating a shield design for a slipjoint consisting of a beer mug with some engraved lines on it to make it look more like a beer mug than just an outline. I would like those lines to stand out as much as I can get them to. I was thinking I could cut out the shield, do the engraving (or the other way around), then apply some product that would darken everything, then sand the surface to remove expose fresh material on the surface but leaving the dark material in the engraving. What product would work to darken 410 stainless like this? Is this a reasonable approach for this goal? I don't have the capability to electro-chemically etch the "logo". Thanks.
 
Fill it with matte black Rustoleum and wipe the flats off with your thumb or finger. It's what engravers do to darken the background and the shading lines.

Alternately, a strong acid will etch it the same way as carbon steel. Ferric chloride can work or something like brick cleaner (muriatic acid). Then you can sand the surface again.
 
I just did a couple of quick tests on 0.04" AEB-L with a fiber laser (I'm German, so when you said Bier mug, I could not resist...). Excuse the poor picture, I guess I should have used one of the elusive lint free cloths instead of a T-shirt rag...

I have no idea what's involved in making a shield, but if you think you could use something like this, I'd be happy to engrave a few beer mugs for you and send them to you.

s1OlLqw.jpg
 
Holy smoke, Hubert. Not only do those look fabulous, but that was quite nice of you to do! I would happily accept some. That size is perfect. I will message you.
 
I got your PM and replied with a few questions about surface finish and spacing. Just let me know what you need and I'll make some for you.
 
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