"smoked grey" finish on 304 s/s number4

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i have a request from an architect for a fireplace made out of 304 stainless 20 Ga.with a "smoked grey" finish.I suppose they want to take the glare out of it.I'm looking for suggestions to how to put the finish on.so far im thinking of rubbing it all with some powdered Molybdenum disulfide and then spraying on some sort of clear coat.trouble is the finish must be heat resistant also. Thanks i advanceG
Reply:Offhand, I'd think applying a thin copper plating and then chemically treating the copper might be the best solution. Any treatment of the stainless itself would need pretty 'nasty' chemicals. How large is the thing going to be?
Reply:Originally Posted by gordfraseri have a request from an architect for a fireplace made out of 304 stainless 20 Ga.with a "smoked grey" finish.I suppose they want to take the glare out of it.I'm looking for suggestions to how to put the finish on.so far im thinking of rubbing it all with some powdered Molybdenum disulfide and then spraying on some sort of clear coat.trouble is the finish must be heat resistant also. Thanks i advance
Reply:Originally Posted by Oldiron2Offhand, I'd think applying a thin copper plating and then chemically treating the copper might be the best solution. Any treatment of the stainless itself would need pretty 'nasty' chemicals. How large is the thing going to be?
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelsonSince the architect is specifying this.....he must or shouldhave color/sheen samples and a known, commercially available processby which this finish is achieved......if not---then he's asking you for free R&D and R&D is not-for free--soadvise him of the same.(It is not unusual to see architects specify materials/processes/methods that do not exist, or are wholly impractical/expensive, etc.---that's 'why?' they get acut of 5-7% of the gross construction cost--right off the top. They do not solveproblems-they design problems.)
Reply:If 'they' know what they want, have them SHOW you what they want.  Either actual samples or an existing 'processing spec' (ie, grained finish, polished finish, matte blasted finish, etc).If 'they' don't know what they want, tell them to figure out what they want and then show you so that you can make it.Because if they don't know what they want, like Dave/Blackbird said, then you are doing R&D.  If they want to pay you for R&D (or you want to do the R&D), then fine.  But you could be making samples for a while if it doesn't match the architect/designer's 'vision' and they can't clearly communicate WHAT they want to you.  (No, that one is too shiny ... [back to shop] ...  No, that one is too dull ... [ back to shop]  ... No, that one is not the right 'color' ...  [mumble, back to shop]  ...  No, that is the wrong color and too shiny ...  [mumble, mumble, back to shop]  ...  That one is the right 'color' but it is too dull ... [mumble, back to shop]  ... That one is the right sheen, but now the 'color' is wrong ... [etc, etc, etc]Next, the actual fireplace made out of 20 gauge 304 stainless, or a 20 gauge 304 stainless surround for a fireplace?If the actual fireplace is being made, there is pretty much no way to keep the stainless from discoloring from heat.re: rubbing some 'moly' onto it and then (trying) to put a clear finish on top of -that-  would just be a mess, IMHO.  Putting 'paint' (or another film-forming finish) on top of 'dust' (and a generally slippery dust at that) is pretty much setting things up for a Fail of the film-forming-finish.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:update.im asking the powers that be what finish they would like. see what happens.the sheetmetal forms the fire box ...sort of thing.not the surround.3 panels, bottom (with the propane burner unit cut into itback- vertical.and top- that funnels the fumes out a round flue pipe in the middle of it.im looking into how much heat will be involved.coating over the moly isnt one of my better ideas now i think about it.see what the powers that b come up withthanks to all.G
Reply:architectsWould powder coat work given the heat exposure? Media blasting to give a matte finish? Talk to the home owner if you can. That's always worked best for me. And it kinda pisses if the face of the architect...........me.....bitter......nah200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Try glass bead blasting a sample and see if its what they want.Lincolin Power Wave 450, Lincoln Powermig 255, Lincoln Pro Mig 140, Lincoln Squarewave Tig 275, Miller Big 40 G(with Hobart Hefty suitcase), Thermal Arc 95S and Esab PCM875 in an already full machine shop.
Reply:Originally Posted by gordfraserupdate.im asking the powers that be what finish they would like. see what happens.the sheetmetal forms the fire box ...sort of thing.not the surround.3 panels, bottom (with the propane burner unit cut into itback- vertical.and top- that funnels the fumes out a round flue pipe in the middle of it.im looking into how much heat will be involved.coating over the moly isnt one of my better ideas now i think about it.see what the powers that b come up withthanks to all.
Reply:Do they realize what a 20ga stainless firebox is going to look like after its first firing? How big are the panels going to be?  Because they wont be flat for long.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:Originally Posted by Oldiron2In the meanwhile, I've done some research.  Let me know if you are expected to find the process, so need my work and if so, whether I should expect a cut of your pay, or if I should send my bill directly to the architect. I almost forgot; I'm retired!    Can I still charge?
Reply:Yes. Propane. It will put of some heat. But it's more a decorative type flame I gatherStill trying to get the specs.G