How to Promote the Oxidation of Hot Rolled Steel
- 1). Clean the steel with steel wool to remove any dirt or oils that could prevent a patina from forming. Use long strokes along the length of the steel until a dull, uniform finish is achieved. Oil is a natural steel preservative and is sometimes applied to hot rolled steel to prevent rusting.
- 2). Dissolve copper sulfate crystals in water until it becomes saturated, or until no more copper sulfate will dissolve.
- 3). Brush the patina solution on the steel, coating the entire piece. The patina will react with the steel while it is wet, progressively darkening the steel the longer it is left on.
- 4). Rinse with clean water after the steel reaches the desired look. Rinsing stops the chemical reaction and "locks" the patina.
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