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Metal finishing to blacken silhouettes

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I am making metal silhouettes out of thin steel sheets. I have been painting them or finishing them in a flat back. I have seen where other finishes are accomplished by using flame. this gives it a beautiful color variations. Can you tell me how to accomplish this?

Robert Boulay
Bob's silhouettes - Corvallis, Montana, USA

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Experiment on some scrap with a wiped on coat of Linseed Oil [linked by editor to product info at Rockler] and an old fashioned blow torch. Butane torch might work with the flame spreader atachment, but will be too hot with just the plain torch. May take several repeat cycles. Hotter and cooler temps will give you different colors also.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

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Heat tinting of steel:
315 C temp.= dark blue colour
280 C= dark purple
235 C= straw colour
270 C= brown
Metal must be oxide and grease free!Kiln process is best but gas torch or hot air gun are usable too!Good luck!

Goran Budija
- Zagreb, Croatia

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