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Is there any way to stain or color stainless steel without dipping or heating?

I'm a brick layer and I just purchased a level from "Crick Tool" that is super duper custom. I would like to customize it further by coloring the metal workings on it. It is a wooden level and the binders "metal reinforcing rails on the edge" are permanently affixed to the wood. Is there any way I can implement a color onto the stainless that will be fairly durable without damaging the wood?

Thank you very much,
Steve-o : San Diego

Edward Stephen Verduzco
Modern Masonry - San Diego, California, USA
2007

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2007

You can use next solution:0,1 lit sulfuric acid(1,55 density!)/1,3 gm sodium bichromate, 25 C temp.,5-10 minutes -works only on grease and oxide free surfaces .Nasty and poisonous stuff-be careful,use rubber rubber gloves [on eBay or Amazon] and safety goggles [on eBay or Amazon], avoid any direct contact with solution. Hope it helps and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia