Steel finishing

[jtn]

Hey folks,

I'm working on some indoor coffee tables and want to give them a gunmetal/burnished look without having to dip them into a bunch of crazy hot chemicals or spray paint -- I like the look of hotrolled steel but after I grind out the junctions there's the shiny bare matel next to the dark mill scale. Any ideas? The best I've found is:
http://www.metallicfinishes.com/
I'm working out of my garage and I'd like to keep it simple . . .

Thanks --

[Laiky]

oxy fuel rosebud, heat until bright red for a minute or so and let cool.

[fun4now]

there was another place posted in my to paint or not to paint posting. i'll see if i can find it for you.

[monte55]

I have misted some bare metal projects with a rattle can of flat black paint and when dry, lightly by hand go over with a scuff pad and then clear coat. The paint tones down the shiny areas and has a nice raw metal effect. Home Depot sells Minwax urethane clear spray cans that have UV protecters.
Sprays easily, dries fast.

[jtn]

I sprayed some salt water on it and it's sitting outside . . . maybe in a few days it'll get less shiny . . .

[Broccoli1]

I sprayed some salt water on it and it's sitting outside . . . maybe in a few days it'll get less shiny . . .

It will soon be a nice Rust color If this is what you want it can be a nice finish- just clear coat it.


If you don't have an O/A set up like Laiky's suggestion you can use a Mapp Torch, which can purchased at any Box Store or Local hardware store

[stronics]

You can use cold blue for guns. It makes a nice blue finish. Wax it with Johnson paste wax in the yellow can and forget it.
David