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Reddish brown coating on hand tools
⇦ Tip: Readers want to learn from your situation;
so some readers skip abstract questions.
Q. What is Reddish brown coating on Allen keys or screw bits
Sandip SanagarOwners of a electroplating ind. - Nashik , Maharashtra, India
September 24, 2025
A. Hi Sandip
Sorry but I have no idea. Please send some photos and additional descriptive info, and why you want to know, to mooney@finishing.com for posting here. I suppose it's possible that cheap tools could be made of Corten weathering steel, but it doesn't seem like you could make self-weathering tool steels. Also, poor quality black oxide could be reddish brown, but I doubt that that is what your are interested in either.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Ted is available for instant help
or longer-term assistance.
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