Subject: blacken forged gate???

From: [email-masked] (John & Cynthia/ MidLife Crisis Ent.)
Date: Sun, 28 Jul 1996 23:16:39 +0200

I have been working with my firend Tim Glidewell (Creative Force
Blacksmithing) on a large (2 sections about 12 feet each) gate.  It
contains forged (grapevine, grape bunches, leaves tendrils, etc) and
fabricated items (frame, "pickets", etc.).  Some of the frame is "polished"
at some points that were welded, ground and buffed (polished), other parts
of the frame is as is from the mill.  The smithed parts are ......
smithed!!!!

The question is, the gate is to be hung for about 1 week but before it is
properly finished.  Once the week is over, the gate is going to be zinc
electroplated, then powdercoated and then the grapevine parts are to be
enameled (painted).  Is there any product that could be applied to get all
of the different metal surfaces "the same color" and that could still go
thru the plating/powder coating?  I am inclined to suggest the use of one
of the phosphoric acid de-ruster/anti rusting, brush on/spray on products.
Any ideas or reasons the above mentioned product should be/not be used?
Any other products that would work, have better qualities, etc??

Any thoughts or ideas would be of great interest.  Thanks in advance.......

                                John

John Dach and Cynthia Thomas
Maiden Metals
a div. of
MidLife Crisis Enterprises             An element of uncertainty is inherent
PO BX 44                                  in any act of observation.
Philo, CA  95466
707-895-2635(phone/fax)

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 1996 09:02:37 -0400

To All,
Does "the same color" mean texture? The parts will be the same color after
Zinc electroplating. The piece must be scale and grease free so the plater
will probably treat it anyway. You might want to sand blast the piece . That
will provide a uniform texture to all surfaces. Try a test piece first to see
how much detail is lost when all of the processes are combined.

Hochewa

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 1996 23:53:54 -0400

Birchwood Casey makes a commercial blackening compound which is used in
industry to blacken fasteners and the like which would otherwise be plated.
 This stuff is very similar to cold gun bluing (which would also probably
work).  For the gun blue, try Oxpho, from Brownell's, 515/623-5401.

good luck

hollis

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From: [email-masked] (John & Cynthia/ MidLife Crisis Ent.)
Date: Tue, 30 Jul 1996 10:28:03 +0200

Bill and others,

Thanks for the thoughts.  I will give a report on the classes when I get
back.  I will give Tim all of the info on the blacking the electro
processes etc.  This list is soooooooo wonderful.

John

John Dach and Cynthia Thomas
Maiden Metals
a div. of
MidLife Crisis Enterprises             Forget to remember;
PO BX 44                                 remember to forget.
Philo, CA  95466
707-895-2635(phone/fax)