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Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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What is the black coating on steel?

July 29, 2008

Hello, I am trying to re-create that standard coating that comes on typical steel.
It looks like a transparent lacquer-type finish that is dark grey...

Does anyone know how to apply that to untreated steel in a DIY fashion?

Tom Gerhardt
Student - New York, NY

July , 2008

Sorry, Tom, I don't recognize the coating you are referring to. Can you name a particular item that you've seen it on?

Regards,

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

Sounds like mill scale that has been oiled at the rolling plant. If so, you can not really duplicate it.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
August 1, 2008

August 14, 2008

Can too!

Heat it to cherry red, quench in oil.

Fire scale should build up nicely. It's all dependent on the size of what he's working with.

Marc Banks
Blacksmith - Melbourne, FL

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