Heat coloring steel??

[P. McKinley]

This is a bit Off Topic, but it is vaguely related to knife making.

I have a woodworker friend who is designing a small chest of drawers to include curved steel legs made from rod stock. He wants to "color" the steel using heat.... deep blue is what he's after.

Is this possible?
What type of steel? (he wants stainless)
Is there a handy tutorial around that I haven't found yet? If not, any tips?
Any photos of knives with this treatment?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Mark Redmon]

Well, since no one else has chimed in, here are a few NON-expert opinions...

You can heat color stainless with a torch, but it is difficult to get an even color. He should experiment a little before taking the plunge. Getting the piece to a high polish will help. Varying the temp will give different colors. The oxide layer will be pretty thin, so it could be possible that scratches would reveal the white metal again.

Anodizing may also work, but again, I think the layer would be pretty thin.

Powder coating might be a good option. It's probably a bit more durable too. If there are any custom car/bike shops near you, they could probably help you out. If he's inclined to do it himself, he may want to look at Eastwood for some reasonable powder coating guns and supplies.

If I've misstated anything, I'm sure someone else will chime in to correct me.

 

[Nebulae]

depending on how big it is he may be able to put it in his kitchen oven I think about 570 F gives a dark blue
but as mark said this will be prone to scratches

 

[LRB]

Give 2 or 3 coats of brass laquer. Won't stop all scatches, but better than nothing