- Joined
- Jun 17, 2012
- Messages
- 2,220
- Join Group
- Discussion Tools
- Inline Mod
- xalky - 03-09-13, 11:43 AMGuys , I've started to make some art cut outs on my cnc plasma table and i came across a lot of info for cold and heat applied chemical methods of colorizing primarily steel, but theres also a lot of stuff out there for brass bronze and copper. The methods I've researched require no electricity but some do require heat.Edit Report IP
Here's a picture of an Eagle that i made which is sort of copper plated and then darkened in areas for highlights. You just spray it on and hose it off.
- xalky - 03-09-13, 05:26 PMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auJjGVQQZVg So here's a video of how to do it. I've bought stuff from this guy that made the video, but then through much research, i figured out how to make a lot of the chemicals myself because I'm cheap that way and i enjoy the challenge. Edit Report IP
- eac67gt - 03-09-13, 05:37 PMCool! That is a really nice job! Love the finish. Thanks.Edit Report IP
Ed - cwlewis123 - 03-09-13, 10:11 PMHi xalky, Would you care to share some of the chemicals you use? I have been searching the net for 2 months trying to find ways to color steel without buying anything. Plenty of stuff for copper and brass but not steel. Any information would be helpful. By the way, I love the eagle!Edit Report IP
Wayne - JT. - 03-10-13, 12:55 AMvery nice like the colors alsoEdit Report IP
- xalky - 03-10-13, 06:28 PMI start with the copper base. I make a solution of copper sulphate and water with a little battery acid. To 1 gallon of distilled water add 1 once copper sulphate and 1-2 onces clean battery acid. Copper sulphate is sold as stump remover, but it's illegal in some states, you can buy it online at amazon.com. Battery acid can be had at most auto parts stores.. The copper looks best when the steel has been sanded smooth. The part must also be degreased. If the part is sand blasted it'll look dull. The copper deposition is very thin. Actually, the thinner it is the better it looks. The ingredients are dirt cheap.
I've also made a torch effect solution. This solution when sprayed on the copper will give a rainbow effect, but this one was very difficult and dangerous to make. I don't think I'd reccomend to anyone to make this one as it uses selenious acid which is very toxic. But there's an easier way that i learned later, it still involves selenious acid, but the acid is already made. First time, I actually made the selenious acid by reacting selenium metal with nitric acid. I don't reccomend it unless you have a quality chemistry setup and a draft hood.
Last edited by a moderator: