How to protect Mild Steel  

iIhave been doing a project in school, and I am making candlestick holders and we where told to do some research on 'what can protect mild steel'. I have searched all the sites I think are possible but still haven't found much. The project is due in tomorrow and need a reply today so if you can help please write back. It will help improve my grade.

Thank you,

First of two simultaneous responses --  

We weren't able to help you in time, Louise. I don't understand what's wrong with teachers today that they expect students to research a subject and write a report in one night. I mean if Louise had had even 2 days to get her report in, we probably could have helped her.

Electroplating, electroless plating, painting, powder coating, phosphatizing, black oxiding, and galvanizing are a few things that can protect mild steel.

Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

Second of two simultaneous responses --  

Hi Louise,

To protect mild steel candle stick holders, you ask.

l. Paint.
2. Plating
3. Oiling them
4. Encasing them in plastic, perhaps ... after all, candles and polyethylene smell the same when ignited. Both burn. Both drip ... and I think that Polyethylene is made from a long chain paraffin.

For your info, Sheffield... before the art of plating as we know it to-day occured ... used to 'plate' candlestick holders. I have some. It's called Sheffield plate. The process was to fuse(ie. heat on) ultra thin silver sheet onto the brass candlesticks. As the silver coating thins down, you get a yellowy silver sheen.

Now you should get top marks, I hope.

Freeman Newton - White Rock, British Columbia, Canada

Ed. note: Please keep Freeman in your thoughts & prayers. Message from Freeman, Dec. 2010