I’ve been asked to specify blued steel handrails. I’ve been Googling for a while, but haven’t come up with anything. Any suggestions?
Check out the Wiki at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluing_(steel)
Took a chance and Binged it.
I saw that one. Interesting, but not much help. After reading what I did find, I’m not sure why anyone would want a blued finish. I sent inquiries to a dozen metal fabrication and finishing companies; who knows, maybe I’ll get something like a specification!
isn’t “Blueing” a metal treatment used by firearms manufacturers on pistol and rifle barrels? I’m pretty sure that the Red Rider 200 shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time was “Blue Steel”.
Here’s some info on gun bluing, which may be the look wanted.
Bluing is desirable because blued steel looks much better and uniform than bare steel (we’re not talking stainless here). Stainless steel can also be colored, similar to titanium, but that’s another story. Bluing should be done by a professional or an uneven finish may result. Also, the blued finish will gradually wear through. It can scratch, and bluing will not prevent rust if the steel is often wet..
From my firearms experience cold blueing of steel is a hand done process that includes rubbing the blueing agent on to the steel. Would this process be the same or for the larger pieces of steel that you are talking about here? If hot blueing is required is the process available for the size pieces you are talking about? Both methods sound messy.
This was a topic 5 years ago:
I should have mentioned that I was aware of bluing used for guns. Thanks for the lead, Colin; I’ll contact Marc and Lynn to see what they have.
Blued drywall nails. Anyone remember those?
People. People. Answer the question. How do you blue steel. the answer is the following
"Blackened steel: clean to SSPC SP 6, (or less if you like the mill scale etc) patina with Birchwood Casey PC-9 Presto Black (Gun Bluing) spray, brush, or immersion, Finish with non-acidic wax product:Sculpt Nouveau black finishing wax [http://www.sculptnouveau.com/index.cfm](http://www.sculptnouveau.com/index.cfm)
If you want blue bluing or brown bluing those are different products and use a different finishing wax (or oil)
There is some technique invloved here. The bluing has to be put on evenly and quickly. in manufacturing they dip the steel if you do it slowly you’ll get mottling - ask for a mockup or sample.
remember you are creating black or blue rust and you need to neutralize the steel after bluing (use a lot of water) and then use a non-acidic wax (carnuba wax is acidic for example)to fill all the little gaps and pockets created by the rust.
bluing and steel is like english muffins and butter. it’s a method of creating lots of pockets for oil (butter) to sit in.
This keeps water and other things from getting at the steel. Of course the english muffin has a different fate.
You sure the architect isn’t just a zoolander fan?
http://www.mediabistro.com/unbeige/original/blue%20steel.jpg
Not sure why anyone would want this finish on a handrail, when there are so many metal finishes more appropriate for this application. Does the designer understand the implications and limitations of this finish? What about the Owner? Specifying this finish will obligate them to frequent maintenance if they end up using a blued finish.
In practical terms, I don’t know how large a section of railing you could feasibly blue-most bluing tanks are made to accommodate rifle and shotgun barrels. Welds would have to be touched up with cold blue in the field, which may or may not match the blued railing sections. (In gunsmithing, you typically do all of your welding, machining, etc. before finishing the piece).
I don’t mean to sound overly cynical, but this sounds like something a designer saw in a magazine article, and is determined to use it in the project whether it’s the best choice or not. Perhaps you could ask them if they are willing to visit the site weekly, and apply a coat of rifle wax to the railing.
You’re close! Apparently, someone had a small table with blued steel legs and thought it looked cool. Performance isn’t everything; gotta relieve the tension between the earth and sky elements, y’know.
Just happened to find this site looking for something else, actually. I do some blacksmithing and metal sculpture. I would check with the folks at Sculpt-Nouveau as suggested above. They also handle a good lacquer. They are pretty helpful and would tell you if it’s impractical. Remember life would be boring if we painted all railings black.