Heat coloring pocket clips not working for me. Please advise

[MTHall720]

I watched a you tube clip and followed the advice there but it is not working for me.
I started by polishing my pocket clips to a high shine, then took the blow torch and heated both sides to a cherry red for about 10 minutes. Unlike the you tube guy my clips barely changed color at all. Really have an itch to get the multi colored effect. The only I did not do, which you tube said to do, is to dip it on motor oil while hot as the last step. What would motor oil do? All advice is much appreciated.

 

[Rapt_up]

Depends on what the clip is made of and I think you're going way too hot.

Ti and Steel (non stainless) are all this will work on and require somewhat different process/temperatures. I know this much, but others can probably give you better detailed instruction.

 

[MTHall720]

Never occurred to me to wonder if it is too hot. I think clips are steel.

 

[Phydeaux]

I think you probably got the clips too hot. I think what you want to do is repolish the clips. Heat it an oven to obtain the desired color. As the steel heats up, it will transition through a series of colors starting with a pale yellow and progressing to the blues and purples.

You can also try it with a propane torch. Heat slowly and quench in water at the desired color.

Here's a link to a page with the approximate temperatures and color transitions. http://www.simplytoolsteel.com/temperature-color-guide.html

Assuming this is what you want to achieve, the temperature range is about 400-650°F.

Good luck and let us know how it comes out!

Ric

 

[MTHall720]

Thanks very much. I will try this and give an update.