How do I age stainless steel screws? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

NickG0HIK · 30th Oct 2019, 4:26 pm

I thought I had seen this in a post but I can't find it now.

I've just bought some stainless steel self tapping screws.

I really wanted steel, but I could find only stainless in the type and size I required.

How do I age them so they are not shiny, did I read put in a jar of vinegar, but not submerged ?

Thanks for any tips.

Nick

mickm3for · 30th Oct 2019, 4:49 pm

Hi don't know adout stainless but I have a degreaser (looks like meths) spilt a small amount on a file and a pair of long nose pliers next day totally rusted, I don't know what the stuff is.

PM me if you want some. Mick.

NickG0HIK · 30th Oct 2019, 4:53 pm

Thanks Mick,
Do you have a brand name?
Nick

mickm3for · 30th Oct 2019, 4:58 pm

Hi no it was given to me a long time ago it's in a 1 litre pop bottle. You are welcome to try it. Looking at the pliers the ss spring now has a grey non shiny look.

Mick.

NickG0HIK · 30th Oct 2019, 5:10 pm

Hi Mick,

Many thanks for the offer, I might take you up on that.

I've got a couple of the screws in vinegar at the moment and I'll see if I get any other ideas before troubling you with sending a sample.

Regards

Nick

M0FYA Andy · 30th Oct 2019, 5:21 pm

Nick,
Googling 'aging stainless steel' gives lots of hits. It does look like your vinegar treatment should work.
Andy

G6Tanuki · 30th Oct 2019, 5:25 pm

I remember that in the past I once used Ferric Chloride solution to etch a PCB, and made the mistake of doing it in a stainless-steel tray, which thereafter had a dull grey colour where the etchant had been.

Could be worth trying this on your screws?

NickG0HIK · 30th Oct 2019, 5:46 pm

Thanks Andy,

I somehow thought I read it on here, maybe not.

Nick

Quote:

Originally Posted by M0FYA Andy

Nick,
Googling 'aging stainless steel' gives lots of hits. It does look like your vinegar treatment should work.
Andy

NickG0HIK · 30th Oct 2019, 5:47 pm

Thanks for that,

I think I have some very old FeCl around here somewhere, I'll try a couple in that solution also.

Nick

I'll post back on here my results.

Quote:

Originally Posted by G6Tanuki

I remember that in the past I once used Ferric Chloride solution to etch a PCB, and made the mistake of doing it in a stainless-steel tray, which thereafter had a dull grey colour where the etchant had been.

Could be worth trying this on your screws?

G6Tanuki · 30th Oct 2019, 6:13 pm

Also, Oxalic Acid (from rhubarb leaves!) can discolour quite a few metals.

kalee20 · 30th Oct 2019, 6:33 pm

Can't you just heat them up with a chef's blowtorch and let them cool? That usually imparts a gently 'distressed' finish to stainless steel.

NickG0HIK · 30th Oct 2019, 7:10 pm

Anything is worth a try.

I think I picked all my rhubarb a few weeks ago, I'll go and look in the morning and see if there is any regrown.

Nick

Quote:

Originally Posted by G6Tanuki

Also, Oxalic Acid (from rhubarb leaves!) can discolour quite a few metals.

NickG0HIK · 30th Oct 2019, 7:12 pm

I think I know what you mean, I don't want a blue look, like you get on exhaust pipes.
Just to look a bit older.

Nick

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalee20

Can't you just heat them up with a chef's blowtorch and let them cool? That usually imparts a gently 'distressed' finish to stainless steel.

Bazz4CQJ · 30th Oct 2019, 7:19 pm

Tools are often made from carbon steels and will be corroded quite easily. Obviously, stainless steel contains chromium which makes it much more resistant to corrosion.

For your screws, I think that Tanuki's idea of ferric chloride is very much the way to go. Before you put them in the chloride, de-grease them in what ever you have that will do that well, that will help achieve a uniform appearance.

At room temperature, even the chloride may take quite a while, so you might need to consider warming it up. Do a really good job of washing them when finished.

B

emeritus · 30th Oct 2019, 10:59 pm

Stainless steel was discussed on a workshop course I attended many years ago. AFAIR, we were advised not to leave fruit such as a cut tomato on a stainless steel draining board as it would stain it. Apparently if you put a rubber ring around a stainless steel rod and immerse it in water, it will corrode under the ring. The stainless property relies on free exposure to the surrounding medium, and restricting such access allows corrosion due to local electrolytic action, which is why it was said to be inadvisable to paint stainless steel. There are different grades of stainless steel , and some may behave differently from others.

vidjoman · 30th Oct 2019, 11:19 pm

It might work with a strong solution of plain salt. My dishwasher has a warning about allowing salt to remain on the stainless steel interior after refilling the water softener.

joebog1 · 31st Oct 2019, 1:59 am

Phosphoric acid will work. AKA rust converter.

Joe

Gridiron · 31st Oct 2019, 10:15 am

Brick Cleaner might work , has left marks on my stainless steel kitchen sink.
Mike.

Refugee · 31st Oct 2019, 11:31 am

Have you thought of passing current through them such as anodizing or plating with electrolyte with mixed chemicals dissolved in it?

Radio Wrangler · 31st Oct 2019, 7:54 pm

alloy wheel cleaner

David

30th Oct 2019, 4:26 pm	#1
NickG0HIK Hexode Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ireleth-in-Furness, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 286	How do I age stainless steel screws? I thought I had seen this in a post but I can't find it now. I've just bought some stainless steel self tapping screws. I really wanted steel, but I could find only stainless in the type and size I required. How do I age them so they are not shiny, did I read put in a jar of vinegar, but not submerged ? Thanks for any tips. Nick

30th Oct 2019, 4:49 pm	#2
mickm3for Heptode Join Date: May 2015 Location: Chatham, Kent, UK. Posts: 964	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws Hi don't know adout stainless but I have a degreaser (looks like meths) spilt a small amount on a file and a pair of long nose pliers next day totally rusted, I don't know what the stuff is. PM me if you want some. Mick.

30th Oct 2019, 4:53 pm	#3
NickG0HIK Hexode Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ireleth-in-Furness, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 286	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws Thanks Mick, Do you have a brand name? Nick

30th Oct 2019, 4:58 pm	#4
mickm3for Heptode Join Date: May 2015 Location: Chatham, Kent, UK. Posts: 964	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws Hi no it was given to me a long time ago it's in a 1 litre pop bottle. You are welcome to try it. Looking at the pliers the ss spring now has a grey non shiny look. Mick.

30th Oct 2019, 5:10 pm	#5
NickG0HIK Hexode Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ireleth-in-Furness, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 286	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws Hi Mick, Many thanks for the offer, I might take you up on that. I've got a couple of the screws in vinegar at the moment and I'll see if I get any other ideas before troubling you with sending a sample. Regards Nick

30th Oct 2019, 5:21 pm	#6
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws Nick, Googling 'aging stainless steel' gives lots of hits. It does look like your vinegar treatment should work. Andy

30th Oct 2019, 5:25 pm	#7
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,998	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws I remember that in the past I once used Ferric Chloride solution to etch a PCB, and made the mistake of doing it in a stainless-steel tray, which thereafter had a dull grey colour where the etchant had been. Could be worth trying this on your screws?

30th Oct 2019, 6:13 pm	#10
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,998	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws Also, Oxalic Acid (from rhubarb leaves!) can discolour quite a few metals.

30th Oct 2019, 6:33 pm	#11
kalee20 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK. Posts: 7,082	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws Can't you just heat them up with a chef's blowtorch and let them cool? That usually imparts a gently 'distressed' finish to stainless steel.

30th Oct 2019, 7:19 pm	#14
Bazz4CQJ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 4,935	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws Tools are often made from carbon steels and will be corroded quite easily. Obviously, stainless steel contains chromium which makes it much more resistant to corrosion. For your screws, I think that Tanuki's idea of ferric chloride is very much the way to go. Before you put them in the chloride, de-grease them in what ever you have that will do that well, that will help achieve a uniform appearance. At room temperature, even the chloride may take quite a while, so you might need to consider warming it up. Do a really good job of washing them when finished. B __________________ Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch.

30th Oct 2019, 10:59 pm	#15
emeritus Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 5,339	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws Stainless steel was discussed on a workshop course I attended many years ago. AFAIR, we were advised not to leave fruit such as a cut tomato on a stainless steel draining board as it would stain it. Apparently if you put a rubber ring around a stainless steel rod and immerse it in water, it will corrode under the ring. The stainless property relies on free exposure to the surrounding medium, and restricting such access allows corrosion due to local electrolytic action, which is why it was said to be inadvisable to paint stainless steel. There are different grades of stainless steel , and some may behave differently from others.

30th Oct 2019, 11:19 pm	#16
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,326	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws It might work with a strong solution of plain salt. My dishwasher has a warning about allowing salt to remain on the stainless steel interior after refilling the water softener.

31st Oct 2019, 1:59 am	#17
joebog1 Banned Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Mareeba, North Queensland, Australia Posts: 2,704	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws Phosphoric acid will work. AKA rust converter. Joe

31st Oct 2019, 10:15 am	#18
Gridiron Heptode Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: West Midlands, UK. Posts: 662	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws Brick Cleaner might work , has left marks on my stainless steel kitchen sink. Mike.

31st Oct 2019, 11:31 am	#19
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws Have you thought of passing current through them such as anodizing or plating with electrolyte with mixed chemicals dissolved in it?

31st Oct 2019, 7:54 pm	#20
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,876	Re: How do I age stainless steel screws alloy wheel cleaner David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done