TRIPP Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I AM LOOKING FOR A FORMULA OR PROCESS TO COLOUR OR STAIN MILD STEEL A BROWN COLOUR. IT IS A COFFEE TABLE PROJECT WITH VINES AND LEAVES UNDER A GLASS TOP. I HAVE A 20"S MACHINEST MANUEL WITH SOME IDEAS BUT SOME OF THE NEEDED STUFF IS NOW ILLEGAL TO BUY IN CANADA. HOPE SOME OF YOU GUY"S HAVE SOME IDEAS OTHER THAN PAINT. IF THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO I CAN DO THAT BUT WOULD PREFER TO HAVE IT LOOK OLD RATHER THAN "MADE" TO LOOK OLD. THANKS STEVE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 There is an all purpose product for sealing ironwork (and just about anything else) that works hot or cold: 1 part wax (beeswax is mentioned specifically, but I have used paraffin) 1 part turpentine 1/2 to 1 part boiled linseed oil You can use volume or weight since the density of these products are similar, and this recipe has a lot of leeway. *note on safety: if you can smell turpentine you are above the OSHA upper limit for exposure. Please make and use this in a well ventilated space. Melt the wax in a double boiler, take the entire double boiler outside and add turpentine and linseed oil. Transfer to a storage container while still liquid. If you use 200g as one part it should fit into a 1qt paint can. This makes a paste that is clear, and can be "cooked" to make black. To get brown, clean your ironwork, then patina it using vinegar, urine, or some other agent that will cause controlled rusting. Neutralize the rust, then apply the paste wax to seal it, then buff to a desired gloss level. You end up with a leathery glossy looking finish that will have natural inconsistencies. I recommend practicing on some test pieces to see if this is the color and finish you desire. Best of luck and please post pictures. I would like to know what the recipe in the machinist manual is. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 If you don't wish to experiment you could also try "gun browning solution" from companies that sell supplies for refinishing guns such as: Dixie Gun Works: http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=3054 or Brownells: http://www.brownells.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhblacksmith Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 I AM LOOKING FOR A FORMULA OR PROCESS TO COLOUR OR STAIN MILD STEEL A BROWN COLOUR. IT IS A COFFEE TABLE PROJECT WITH VINES AND LEAVES UNDER A GLASS TOP. I HAVE A 20"S MACHINEST MANUEL WITH SOME IDEAS BUT SOME OF THE NEEDED STUFF IS NOW ILLEGAL TO BUY IN CANADA. HOPE SOME OF YOU GUY"S HAVE SOME IDEAS OTHER THAN PAINT. IF THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO I CAN DO THAT BUT WOULD PREFER TO HAVE IT LOOK OLD RATHER THAN "MADE" TO LOOK OLD. THANKS STEVE Some years ago I had a customer from the western part of the country for whom I did "rustic ranch hardware" (pulls, hinges, etc with a western motif). She wanted a brown finish and we ended up using rust. First, I soaked the pieces in acid to remove all scale, followed by alternating soaks in a brine solution and drying. After several dips in the brine and after drying I just wiped the surface lightly with a cloth and sprayed them with urethane. Hanging them over the wood stove in the winter accelerated the oxidation process. She and her customers were happy with the result and it was brown...just not my choice of color for iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Pick up a small can of watco dark walnut oil for wood at local harware or big box home improvement store, wipe it on some scrap and see if you like it, a few coats will give darker color,,I like it and use it a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postleg Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 I use birchwood casys plub brown it is used to brown mussle loading fire arms. Ive bought it on line from the birchwood casys web site. you just heat the metal and rub it on. I use it on tomahawk heads works very good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dief Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Japan Brown from Sculpt Nouveau give a beautiful brown. Spray it on, let dry, coat with Permalac. or Brush with muriatic (pool) acid and then spray with hyrogen peroxide (from the first aid section of any store). Rinse when you get the desired color, let dry and then coat with Permalac. I like leaving some scale on the work. It will not stain as much resulting in brown with some light black areas. A very organic look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 rust finishes are big in many places, hydrogen peroxide can speed the process. I know one smith who makes up inventory ahead of time and then leaves it outdoors to naturally rust over a year or more and then finishes it for indoor use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRIPP Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 THANKS FOR ALL THE TIPS, I WILL TRY ALL OF THEM THE RECIPE FROM THE OLD BOOK IS 1 ONCE COPPER SULFATE, 1 ONCE SPIRIT OF NITRE (ILLEGAL HERE) 1 PINT OF DISSTILLED WATER, SEVERAL COATS OVER SEVERAL DAYS AND ADD ARSEIC TO THE LAST COAT. THEN USE THE LINSEED BEESWAX, TURPENTINE MIX FOR A FINISH. THE BOOK I HAVE IS MACHINERY"S SHOP RECEIPTS AND FORMULAS COPYRIGHT 1911 BY THE INDUSTRIAL PRESS. GREAT BOOK WITH OVER 400 LITTLE TIPS FOR ALMOST ANYTHING TO DO WITH METAL STEVE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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