Dulling stainless steel

[Jaeger]

Okay all you metallurgists: any ideas on what I can put on shiny stainless steel to make it look a little more PC? I'm thinking of trying bleach but haven't done it yet. This is a kidney shaped canteen, and I would like a dull grey finish, something like tinplated steel.

 

[matt denison]

Bead blast it. If you try using sandblasting use a very fine sand.

After blasting "polish" it back to a tin-like surface with very fine abrasive. Experiment on the bottom first where it won't show.

 

[Jaeger]

Unfortunately I don't have access to any bead- or sandblasting equipment. I was thinking more in terms of better living through chemistry.....

 

[LRB]

Buy some lead free plumbers soldier, and coat it, or use acual tin. Just use the flux sold for soldering, and it will take. Use the cheap acid brushes to spread it just like tinning a surface in soldering, only more of it. You can also mix muriatic, "pool", acid and water, 50/50, for flux.

 

[Shack56]

Jaeger, Check out "Forced patina on a stainless steel blade" on YouTube, they use Sulfamic acid cleaner (available at Home Depot). I tried it and it works great. Good Luck, Steve

 

[codymobley]

I've had good results with white vinegar. Wipe it down good with the vinegar and set it in the sun to dry, apply several times and then wipe down with distilled water.

 

[Comrade Coffin]

Got to agree with the acid approach - pickling as it is termed. If vinegar doesnt work then toilet cleaner (limescale remover) is easier and cheaper options than hydrochloric (or sulphuric acid)- it leaves a dull 'passivation' layer, but be careful not to polish this. Get the item to the desired finish and then pickle it and rinse with water.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Stainless is just a term. Most stainless steels will react with battery acid to some degree and dull. Back in the sixties we had a college professer who like to throw a piece of steel through a large magnet at the students in the front row and yell: "catch". Of course the bar would not go through. Untill our class came along. We got a janitor to let us into the storage room and we replaced his rod with a stainless one we had treated with battery acid. It came through the magnet and the student in the front row threw it back. He was in total shock that it went through both ways and it hit him in the face! Not intended but still rather amazing! :idunno: :idunno:

 

[gmarc]

I use sodium bisulphate....swimming pool acidifier. This dry powder is safer and easier to use than muriatic acids.

Add about 1/2 cup to 5 gallons water.