If you have any questions that aren’t listed below, don’t hesitate to contact us via e-mail.

What is cold bluing?

Cold bluing is a chemical process to blacken iron, steel and casting at room temperature. Ferruginous surfaces will obtain an even blackening when immerged into different baths – especially the bluing solution – at room temperature (about 18°C).  Structural transformation causes a black colouration of the surface without changing the measurements of the burnished object. As in the case of hot bluing, the corrosion protection is achieved by our special oil.

What is hot bluing?

Hot bluing needs very high temperatures (about 90 – 100°C) and creates a thicker blackened layer than cold bluing. This layer is free from heavy metals and causes – in combination with the dehydration oil – a high corrosion protection. This is the kind of robust bluing known from the building centres. But you have to keep in mind that you have to work with hot base and that brings with it the need of a special construction and of corresponding safety precautions.

What is fast bluing?

Fast bluing is applied directly by painting on the object and the blackening happens immediately when in contact. The evenness of the blackening by fast bluing is a bit less than the one achieved by immersion bluing. That’s why fast bluing is used – amongst other things – for repairing or for bluing objects that are either too big for an immersion bath or that can’t be moved.

What is patinating?

Tifoo patination can be used for dyeing or blacken non-ferrous heavy metal like copper, bronze or brass. The silver patination blackens silver respectively.

How does Tifoo Patination work?

Tifoo Patination can be applied by painting on the object or by immerging it. Leave the objects in the immersion bath until the desired blackening is achieved. The silver patination an only be applied by painting on the object.

What are the costs for cold bluing or steel bluing?

The price of the solutions can be seen in our online shop. You also can always command bigger amounts than indicated. Don’t hesitate to ask. The possibility to do the work yourself with our system allows you to save a lot of money and time.

How long does the cold bluing process take?

The cold bluing process (Black Devil Bluing) takes about 30 to 40 minutes. You will need about 10 to 15 minutes for degreasing, 2 minutes for conditioning, 2 to 3 minutes for bluing and at least 20 minutes for dehydration by immerging the object into the oil for the indicated time. After that, the object should dry for several hours. The brushed bluing (Black Magic Fast Bluing) works directly at the moment of applying and the hot bluing (Black Volcano) needs about 30 minutes at 90 to 110°C.

What can be burnished and patinated?

Tifoo Bluing products are especially suitable for components made of construction steel and tool steel.  Compatible material: tool steel, casting, iron (with a chromium content of up to 12%), hardened material, brass (patination and fast bluing), bronze and copper (patination) and silver (with the silver patination).

How economical is the process?

Surfaces of about 11 to 12 m² can be blackened with one litre of Tifoo Black Devil. The corresponding values of Black Magic or Black Volcano can be seen in the corresponding instruction manuals for the respective products.

Can stainless steel be blackened?

Not by cold bluing. Bluing of stainless steel can only be done by specialists.

Which amounts are suitable for cold bluing?

Tifoo bluing products and patinations are suitable for small and large amounts. You can purchase every desired pack size from us.

How do you dispose of chemicals?

The chemicals used in cold bluing with Tifoo Black Magic (degreaser, activator, bluing solution, dehydration oil, rinse water) are hazardous waste and have to be disposed of as such. Please ask your local waste disposal company.

How long can the chemicals be stored?

The Tifoo bluing products and patinations are stable when stored at room temperature for at least 12 months.

Can the immersion times be surpassed?

The indicated times for immerging the respective steels should be observed as precisely as possible.

How effective is the rust protection?

The actual rust protection is achieved by the finishing step, the immersion into the dehydration oil. The treated objects are meant to be used in indoor spaces. For having them in outdoor spaces, it is advisable to varnish them afterwards with clear varnish.

Do I have to take specific measures for the workplace?

The Tifoo cold bluing doesn’t cause any aerosols or vapours. The process isn’t odourless, though. A special suction device is advisable for bluing steel. In any case, guarantee good ventilation. We recommend appropriate protective equipment, gloves and protection glasses when working with chemicals. It’s also important to avoid contact with aluminium, for it may cause toxic gas. Be cautious when working with hot bluing because it means working with hot base. Heat the hot bluing Black Volcano slowly and not up to over 100°C (risk of boiling retardation). Don’t heat the hot bluing in glasses, but rather in pots made of stainless steel (closed loosely with the lid). Only use this process if you have appropriate experience in working with corrosive substances and if you have appropriate safety equipment. The base must never overheat when bluing iron or steel because it may spill out of the receptacle. Never use aluminium pots! Risk of explosion!

If you have any more questions about bluing and patinating, our team will be happy to be at your disposal.