[TheForge] How to black wroght iron finish?

Wed Apr 16 00:26:00 2003

Stanton:  One nice finish can be had by melting together one part boiled
linseed oil, one part gum turpentine and one part beeswax in a small paint
can.  Allow the mixture to harden after melting together.  buy a one quart
paint can with the lid.  melt the ingredients in the paint can over a
Coleman stove.  Be VERY careful and don't pour the linseed and turpentine
into the can while the can is over a flame.  Pour the turpentine and linseed
in first, then place can over low flame and add a chunk of beeswax to equal
one part of each.   allow wax to melt fully while stirring gently, then
remove and allow to harden .

Then, heat the metal surfaces to be treated and brush on the mixture.  The
metal should be just hot enough to begin to sizzle the mixture when it is
applied.

While the metal still hot, wipe of excess with rag.  A nice black finish is
usually what results.  Buff with a nylon stocking

I use this finish on my pieces that are designated for inside display.
----- Original Message -----
From: "StantonMitrany" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 12:09 PM
Subject: [TheForge] How to black wroght iron finish?

>
> I have an old wrought iron table base which I'd like to save in what was
its
> original form- black, with no apparent coating, other than what looks like
> black oxide. Some of the table, though, has a slight veneer of brown rust-
> probably only molecules thick.
>
> I'd like to restore the finish so I can use the table indoors, where the
> finish isn't likely to change over the decades.
>
> I was thinking of steel brushing it wherever I can reach, and then,
>
> -   either oiling it by a sprayer/brush with ?what kind? of oil?,
>
> -   or spraying/brushing it with gun bluing compound,
>
> -   or coating it with some industrial compound such as one of the
chemical
> finishes applied to preserve the cast iron/steel surfaces of some factory
> machines,
>
> -   or what would you suggest?
>
> The table base is precious to me, and I'd like to do the best thing for
it.
>
> Thank you sooo much for your input!
>
> All the best,
> Stanton
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