Letter 35060

Glossy black finish on carbon steel [Massachusetts] 

+++++

Hello,
I currently have some carbon steel tubes that have been heat-treated and welded.
Traditional coating for them has been black-oxide, however some customers would like to see a glossy black finish on them. I have tried polishing the surface before plating(black-oxide), the results weren't glossy enough. Of course I'm looking for something cost competitive with the black-oxide. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Gene Degre
Metal Stamper - Worcester, MA, USA

You may have tried polishing, Gene, but you didn't try hard enough :-)

Don't give up. A high quality black oxide on a highly polished surface can give you a finish that looks like a jewel.

 
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com Inc. - Brick, NJ

Black oxide is traditionally oiled or waxed for better corrosion resistance. Look at a black wax.

James Watts
- FL

Oil it sparingly with any eddible oil ( Linseed Oil [link is to product info at Rockler] is best)or 20% shellac solution,then heat it slowly to 4oo C.Repeat if need,and then lacquer it.

Good luck!

Goran Budija
- Zagreb, Croatia

I want to answer or follow-up on this subject publicly (in non-commercial fashion).

 

My company is a supporting advertiser at finishing.com and we want the contact information to reach the inquirer privately.

 

I want to post a new question or inquiry of my own on a different subject.