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Metal finishing to blacken silhouettes

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
2006

Experiment on some scrap with a wiped on coat of linseed oil [affil links] and an old fashioned blow torch. Butane torch [on eBay or Amazon] might work with the flame spreader attachment, 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
2006

2006

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
- Cerovski vrh Croatia

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