Dying metal

[Lin]

Although I am not sure about using this on the bus, I was curious to find out about dying as opposed to painting steel and maybe other metals.  Does anyone have any experience with this?

[Dallas]

Lin,

I'm not quite sure what you are talking about, but with my little piece of brain that I have left, that isn't unheard of..

Are you talking about Powder coating, Electroplating or Anodizing? All of them are able to add color to metal in different ways.

I've looked into home made powder coating and anodization, It looks doable and not too difficult if you have a place you can do it. My problem is that I'm at the whim of the places we stay, since we full time.

Dallas

PS: I can post some links if you are interested.
-DF

[Lin]

Dallas,
I saw an metal art workshop where they did sculptures out of stainless and aluminum.  Some of it was painted, but the guy told me that they also used dyes.  I think that must have been the ones that had a translucent effect.  I was curious about it, and before starting to dig through Google, I thought I'd ask.  On this board, one can find all sorts of experience.   

[coachconverter]

Funny, I just thought about something like this.  How nice an eagle would look with Gunmetal gray fluted siding and a black or really dark grey paint on the uppers.

But I guess the first tiny scratch would mess up the whole effect.

[white-eagle]

you all need to be clearer in your description. 

some of us are a little ignorant.  i thought you had some sort of jungle rot, or radiation poisoning that was corroding the metal frame or siding.  Duhhhhh!

Eagles rust.  i thought maybe MCI's had a disease.  Brown recluse spider rot.

now i know better.  thanks.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Lin,

I use blue dye on many metals but, only to see my scribe lines when I have to be exact. we call it "blueing"

I have to admit, it looks very cool. I guess it would have to be sealed after the dye because it sure don't stay

cool looking for long. I'll bet you can find a local artist that would try it for you!

Good Luck
Nick-

[Hobie]

Here is a source for metal dye.  It's not quite what you are after but you never know what ideas it may spark.  The website photos do not represent the technique well.  I've seen this in person and the effects look way cool!  This is really for art projects and will not give you a smooth solid color --like paint.   

http://www.imsmetals.com/product-details/patinas.htm

[Lin]

That site looks like what I was thinking about.  Thanks, I will start there.

[artglass]

We are in the art business , we get metal transparent dies from  capital  metals in  tempe ,az  the brand is  Ron Young you do have to clear coat them AFTER YOU IDE THEM.
   kEVIN

[zubzub]

Not familiar with steel dyes, but anodized alum., can be dyed almost any color.  Fussy process though.

[WEC4104]

I believe some of the aluminum parts on GMC 4104 and 06 are already anodized, like the bay doors.  I recall hearing that it is one of the reasons it is difficult to get a replacement door to match perfectly. Even back when these coaches were being manufactured, GM was having trouble keeping consistency in the color of the finish. One batch would not match the next.

The fact that they are anodized is also the reason you should not use an abrasive polishing process on them to try to get a mirrorlike shine.

[niles500]

dying /Show Spelled Pronunciation  [dahy-ing] Show IPA Pronunciation 

–adjective 1. ceasing to live; approaching death; expiring: a dying man. 
2. of, pertaining to, or associated with death: his dying hour. 
3. given, uttered, or manifested just before death: her dying words. 
4. drawing to a close; ending: the dying year. 
–noun 5. the act or process of ceasing to live, ending, or drawing to a close.

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dyeing /Show Spelled Pronunciation  [dahy-ing] Show IPA Pronunciation 

–noun process of coloring fibers, yarns, or fabrics

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For a second there I thought this was another Eagle thread !?!?