[TheForge] Putting an oxide finish on mild steel?

[Andrew Vida]

Woolley wrote:
> Greetings,
> 
> When I discovered how beautiful an effect I could get with an acetylene
> torch on polished (it must be polished, bright, as in no mill scale, not
> just wire brushed) mild steel ( purples,greens blues) I thought I was going
> to be able to use this finish for all kinds of decorative stuff ( panels,
> furniture) until I tried to fix it.  I found that if I sprayed a lacquer or
> any kind of clear it would go like an ice blue color time and again. I have
> managed to preserve the oxide colors with oils but these never dry so the
> pieces can't  really be handled too well (not a good selling point for
> furniture).  I have pretty much abandoned this finish. My two cents.

	Linseed oil polymerizes with time and heat.  I can't recommend it for 
outside use, but it's great inside if it's not being abused too much.