How does SS respond to heat treating?

[Raynman]

As the title says does SS change colors when heated? Was wondering what it might do to a igo-s.

 

[yaypudding]

I have heat treated many stainless steel top caps and drip tips. They change color pretty quick once it starts to change, so a light touch with the torch is best. It will start getting a golden hue when it first begins to change.

 

[Raynman]

I was hoping that was the case. I was thinking of doing one of the igo-s. I hasn't sure if the one I saw was plated or SS. does it start out golden the go blueish?

 

[yaypudding]

yeah, the stainless starts to look like shiny gold and gradually gets darker to like a gold/brown,then it goes to blue/purple. I'll post some pics when I get home, did my nemesis, chi-you, and jm22 clones as well.

edit: oh and make sure to clean whatever you're heat treating really well. The oils from your fingers will cause discoloration and create marks in the finish.

 

[Raynman]

Thanks man! That's how Ive seen it done. Now the question is where to stop. Golden brown might look good on some wood.

 

[yaypudding]

i did my nemesis clone and kayfun lite to a dark brown, it's almost olive in color. They look great together.

I rough sanded a nimbus clone cap and heat treated it. It created a nice shimmer effect with the grooves from the sanding. Might have to try that with a mod.

Great thing is if you don't like it, you can sand and start anew.

 

[Cavere]

This is my nimbus and kalafan drip tip I heat treated to match my brass button. Just go slow it's not hard.