↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Off Topic > How do you age stainless steel?
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
Print this entire topic · 
Coatesyyy



Member Since: 07 Sep 2017
Location: Knutsford
Posts: 423

United Kingdom 
How do you age stainless steel?
I've made some signs for my workshop. Water cut the letters out etc.

I want to age the stainless steel so it doesn't look as harsh and brand new. Anyone have any ideas? Anything which would oxidise or corrode the stainless?

Any hints and tips will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Post #660598 30th Oct 2017 3:53pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
JOW240725



Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7866

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
Whatever did we do before google...

https://www.wikihow.com/Antique-Stainless-Steel James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers
Post #660600 30th Oct 2017 4:02pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
ibexman



Member Since: 13 Dec 2008
Location: kent
Posts: 2871

United Kingdom 
Spirits of salts be careful do not inhale Neutral
Post #660601 30th Oct 2017 4:02pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Zed



Member Since: 07 Oct 2017
Location: In the woods
Posts: 3000

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Attach to a Land Rover.
Post #660603 30th Oct 2017 4:07pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
rallysteve



Member Since: 10 Feb 2014
Location: South Yorks
Posts: 2194

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Keswick Green
what grade of stainless did you cut from?

If 304 a bit salt water for a couple of days should dull it a fair bit.

If 316 it will be a bit harder.

If you are looking to keep it stainless looking just duller, use wirewool. Stainless wirewool if you dont want it to start rusting or steel wirewool if you want some rust spots.

Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread
84' 90 3.9 V8 Caged Pickup Build Thread


Mobile Diesel Heater Build Thread
Post #660604 30th Oct 2017 4:12pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Coatesyyy



Member Since: 07 Sep 2017
Location: Knutsford
Posts: 423

United Kingdom 
JOW240725 wrote:
Whatever did we do before google...

https://www.wikihow.com/Antique-Stainless-Steel


Laughing thanks for the input James! I did see this but the signs are far too big to dunk into coffee beans!

And I saw the vinegar method but made me think that there must be something more professional, I may just have to try a test piece piece with vinegar tomorrow.

Just seems harder to have an affect on stainless compared to mild steel for example!
Post #660605 30th Oct 2017 4:14pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Coatesyyy



Member Since: 07 Sep 2017
Location: Knutsford
Posts: 423

United Kingdom 
rallysteve wrote:
what grade of stainless did you cut from?

If 304 a bit salt water for a couple of days should dull it a fair bit.

If 316 it will be a bit harder.

If you are looking to keep it stainless looking just duller, use wirewool. Stainless wirewool if you dont want it to start rusting or steel wirewool if you want some rust spots.

Steve


I used 316 Steve! Are you still thinking salt water?
Post #660606 30th Oct 2017 4:15pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
rallysteve



Member Since: 10 Feb 2014
Location: South Yorks
Posts: 2194

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Keswick Green
It will take a while to discolour 316 in salt water as it is quite resistant to chlorides as it is most substances (hence its use for catering equipment and industrial pipework)

Afraid I am out of ideas beyond wirewool/abrasive distressing.

Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread
84' 90 3.9 V8 Caged Pickup Build Thread


Mobile Diesel Heater Build Thread
Post #660607 30th Oct 2017 4:25pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Coatesyyy



Member Since: 07 Sep 2017
Location: Knutsford
Posts: 423

United Kingdom 
Well thanks for the input, I'll be having some experiments with it tomorrow it looks like. Been told to use the cleaner used in hot tubs etc so will see what happens Whistle Laughing
Post #660609 30th Oct 2017 4:31pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
rallysteve



Member Since: 10 Feb 2014
Location: South Yorks
Posts: 2194

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Keswick Green
An aggressive cleaner might cause some discoulouring (i.e. Cilit Bang), probably the cheaper the better. 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread
84' 90 3.9 V8 Caged Pickup Build Thread


Mobile Diesel Heater Build Thread
Post #660610 30th Oct 2017 4:33pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19452

United Kingdom 
Stick a sheet of Aluminum over it with some water between the two. Whistle Diesels Lives Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️
And if You Love the Country, then we’re on the same side ~
I got’ love for Britain, I got’ British pride’. 🇬🇧
Post #660612 30th Oct 2017 4:38pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
X4SKP



Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2284

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
Years ago I went to a photo shoot for a Product I had been working on, and the photographer was clearing up after finishing the previous night, a shoot for Tizer... he had the Can on a sheet of Stainless Steel with fake ice cubes (acrylic) and a pattern of Tizer (real not fake) across the sheet of metal.

Over night the Tizer has effectively 'etched' the surface of the SS, leaving a 'dull finish' in the shape of the pattern created for the shoot...

Tizer (or possibly any high 'citrus', 'sugar', chemical, type soda drink), might be worth a try... Shocked
...................................
Love your idea Zed... Thumbs Up SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html
Post #660620 30th Oct 2017 5:06pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Coatesyyy



Member Since: 07 Sep 2017
Location: Knutsford
Posts: 423

United Kingdom 
Plenty of ideas for tomorrow, I appreciate everyone's thoughts. Looks like anything toxic, fizzy and acidic it is then Thumbs Up Laughing
Post #660622 30th Oct 2017 5:14pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
What puddle?



Member Since: 25 Oct 2013
Location: Reading
Posts: 952

United Kingdom 
Zed wrote:
Attach to a Land Rover.


Brilliant - really made me laugh Laughing

I carry out limescale removal using sulphamic acid. I was asked to test a piece of sheet SS a year ago by a local welding company, so I dropped it into a tank of maximum-strength stuff for a few days. Took it out and it hadn't done anything at all! I knew our acid was safe to use on SS, but even I was stunned - totally spot-free. Now left.
Post #661953 5th Nov 2017 9:19am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums