dagr8tim Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 Yes, this is an odd one. But I'm sure somebody here knows the answer. I've got a stainless steel knock off Yeti tumbler (Walmart Brand). Awhile back, I used an electrochemical method to destress an area after I had applied a decal as a mask. Today I got wondering if I could hit it with a propane torch and blue the rest of the tumbler to give it a worn sorta rusty/corroded look. Things went well, until I brought it in and washed it in the sink before drinking out of it. Alot of the straw to blue that color change I was going for washed off with a simple dish sponge with little plastic nubs. Is it possible to get the effect I'm after while keeping the tumbler food safe? I'm only doing the outside, and not the inside of the tumbler. Or is it just the way of things that the discoloring will scrub off over time? I know that it's a thin layer of oxide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 heat bluing could ruin the temper of your blade, and I have no clue how to tell the inside from the outside of a blade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagr8tim Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 Good thing I'm heat bluing a coffee cup. But I think I may have misread and posted this in the wrong section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 I would think hot bluing would ruin the insulation of a mug like a Yeti. A lot of answers are directed to the other members who look at a particular post/thread, not just to the question asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 When you post in the knife section, you should expect answers as they pertain to blades Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagr8tim Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 (edited) My understanding (from watching videos of them being cut in half) is that it is basically 2 stainless steel cups that nest and are attached at the top lip and have a vacuum drawn in the space between. Edited August 18, 2019 by Mod30 excessive quoting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 since this doesn't have a thing to do with blades I will relocate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 They don't call it stainless for nothing ;-) try blueing it again and then clear coat it. That would be what I would try before moving to chemicals and such. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Williams Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Be aware that if you heat it up into the sensitization range (assuming don't have a stabilized or L stainless, per the source and application), you will precipitate chromium carbide into the grain boundaries. This will make it stainmore steel, and it may corrode aggressively at the grain boundaries due to the absence of sufficient chromium to form a dense and adherent chromia layer. I don't recall the relevant temperature range off the top of my head, but I have given enough information for you to look it up if you care. I am boarding a plane, or I would look it up myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagr8tim Posted August 19, 2019 Author Share Posted August 19, 2019 Thanks for the info. It looks like it’s 950 - 1450 F. I doubt my cheap little propane torch torch got up to that temp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Is it propane or mapp gas. If you can heat it to glowing it's around 900F. Steel at black heat can be 800F. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Yeah, even a Bernzomatic butane torch can bring thin sheet to yellow. Another thing to think about is what happens when you lower the structural integrity of a structure holding a vacuum. How many of these cups do you have to experiment with? I'd see about electro chemical patination. I know it works to produce from mirror polish to very dark brown to black but not other colors. Keep us in the loop please, we're interested in what you learn. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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