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How do I color mild steel

I am making art work. I understand that there are chemicals that can be used along with heat / torch coloring of mild steel. Anyone have info on that?



Thanks,

Bill Mashburn
WIEFAB - Hermiston, Oregon
2003

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Bill,

Did you ever get a response to your question about coloring mild steel? I'd be interested in finding the same information.

Tom Moreau
- Fort Worth, Texas
2003

I have been doing mild steel art you years I also worked at the Walla Walla foundry I'm sorry to say mild steel only produces oxidation reactions aka rust. that said there are two options you can use the first I use the second I heard from a artist who just quickly answered me kinda blowing me off... artists... ehh any who, I polish the steel until it's the texture I like then with my large cutting touch (rose bud is better but much more expense to run) I heat the metal to change the color aka blueing... remember to clean the metal of your oily finger prints before you start. don't be fooled it's an art you should practice first because it takes time to learn to read the metal. NOTE: you can get a lot of colors this way not just blue! purple yellow orange ish yellow and golden yellow altho like I said it's hard to control at first. then after the metal has cooled clear coat with acrylic paint wala! second is a copper based paint that you then patina using coordination compounds the torch only speeds the process and allows you to artificially introduce elements during the curing before you wax and seal the compound in... I'm not an expert at patina however there are great books if you wish to go that road. best wish and enjoy

Chance Higginbotham
- Walla Walla Washington USA
June 7, 2011