Hi everyone,
I have some skills with steel and welding, but I am not a blacksmith
I am building a stair rail for my house (indoors - dry and warm). The newel posts and top rail are made of hot rolled 2-1/2 x 3/8 flatbar. The balusters are made of hot rolled 1x1 solid square. Some finishing wood will be placed ontop of the flatbar rail once complete.
The newel posts are simply screwed down with structural screws and the balusters have screw threads built into them and are screwed into place by hand. After everything is in place the balusters will be mitered to the correct elevation (length) at 37 degrees, the flatbar rail mounted on top of everything and the rail TIG welded to the newel posts and balusters from the underside to hide the welds.
The railing needs a coating. I don't mind taking all the components to a local blacksmith after I build them and ask him/her to put a reputable coating of heated wax or oil on it for me.
1) How can I coat and protect the welds and heat affected zones as the coating previously laid by he blacksmith will be lost? Can I use the amateur method of a warm pot of wax or oil and a small plumbers torch and touch up the hidden welds and heat affected zones and have a nice day?
2) What kind of life can I expect from a heated wax or oil finish from a local blacksmith? How often will I have to maintain this finish? I am guessing 20 or 30 years. Or am I entirely wrong and I should consider powdercoating?
3) Is the heated wax or oil finish dirty to the touch? Will it contaminate clothes or hands?
Any other advice in this regard is well appreciated!
Kind regards,
CBeach
