Aloha, fun & authoritative answers -- no cost, no registration, no passwords, no popups
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989

-----

Need metal dyes in different colors

Q. Is it possible to dye nickel and steel metals various colors such as red, blue etc. I have an idea but I need to see if there is a way I can get different colored nickel and or steel wire without painting or coating.

Thank you,

William T [last name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
hobbyist - Livermore, California, USA
2003

Q. Did you ever find an answer to your question on how to color steel or nickel?

Kip K [last name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Anaheim, California, USA
2005

A. How about getting it as clean as you can and then trying a magic marker (indelible marker)? That may be as close to a permanent dye as you will achieve on nickel and steel.

If the general idea works, you can get "alcohol inks" [metal dye / alcohol ink on eBay or Amazon] in all sorts of colors, sizes, and brush types.

(Aluminum can be dyed much more permanently because an anodized coating is sort of like a honeycomb that can be filled with dye and then sealed).

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Q. Hi there,

I am looking for an effective way to dye untreated Tungsten beads e.g. brown, green etc...

It needs to be indelible, waterproof and rub resistant.

I've done some experimentation with Industrial metal marking inks, but with no success.

Any advice or solution would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Martin

Martin Bawden
Fishing Tackle design - Matthews, North Carolina
2007

A. If alcohol inks don't work for you, and paints and powder coatings are unacceptable for some reason, perhaps the best answer would be a PVD coating process, but it won't be cheap.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: