[TheForge] preserving heat colors

[Ralph Sproul]

Hochewa, Are you saying to do something like sand with 400 -600 grit and
then apply finish as the oxides would thin and the finish then would bring
the thickness back and come to a gloss finish similar to a paint that is wet
sanded - then rubbed with compound or cleared over?  Is this what your
saying when you said you've attempted this...........So you'll really be
trying to dull the finish before bringing it to life again with a gloss
coat?  Did you use a chemical or abrasive in your attempts?

Ralph

----- Original Message -----
From: <Hochewa at aol.com>
To: <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 8:26 AM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] preserving heat colors


> To All,
> Heat colors are not the color of the oxide that has formed.  The oxide
> actually is transparent and the colors you see are the refraction of light
just like
> a prism.  The oxides in thickness are multiples of the wavelength of the
> color you see.  When you add a protective layer you add to the thickness
of the
> refracting layer and you change the color.
> I ahve done several pieces that also have gone much more blue than I
wanted
> but they also retain other colors.  It appears that if you thin the oxide
layer
> you put on at first and then add a layer of acryllic you may end you where
> you want to be.  If the pieces are for indoor use maybe a thin layer of
really
> good wax may be enough.
> I like the effect ot the temper colors.
> Keep playing with them.  You may find something we all can use.
>
> Regards,
>
> Hochewa
>
> In a message dated 3/13/2005 1:06:27 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> gladish at cnw.com writes:
> 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.
>
> Regareds,
> Bill Woolley
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