Easy DIY Tutorial: how to change colour to stainless steel buckle and match a bronze case watch

[@cienkowskimichael5884]

So helpful! Just received a crafter blue strap for my “bronze” Seiko. The strap came with s/s hardware. I can’t stand when watch case and strap hardware do not match (personal preference). Thanks to your video problem solved!!

[@AimForTheBushes908]

You sir are a visionary. Thank you for the wonderful project ideas, the possibilities are endless.

[@wh0tube]

Thank you 🙏 I was thinking of doing this to a stainless steel watch case and steel band/strand. I can’t find any evidence of anyone doing that, although there are hundreds of videos of different steel parts being heat coloured. I wonder why! Maybe I’ll find out the hard way when I do it and nothing fits back together! 😆

[@laich71]

thats brilliant, tried it and amazed at the result, gonna send the rose gold clasp back to amazon :-)

[@taimourarif6750]

Does it work on my apple watch milanese loop band?

[@Mikicomi23]

Definitely yes, but larger is the piece you want to colour, harder it is to obtain a uniform colouration.

[@blessingsara11]

This is both amazing & beautiful

[@pandaray6930]

1:52 Color cheat sheet. ¡Gracias!

[@matthewdavis8199]

So tempting now to try my hand at bluing movement screws! I imagine each would take very little heat exposure. Of course I'd probably manage to shoot a couple of them off into outer space by clumsily mishandling them with the tweezers! Between losing and overheating them, perhaps I should leave it up to professionals like you. :)

[@Mikicomi23]

Yes, movement screws are so tiny that you can completely destroy them in half of a second. For bluing small parts I use a copper tray. It's a sort of copper plate to place over the flame in order to dissipate the high heat.

[@hangwork7377]

Great! I would like to know if the blue steel buckle scratch,the blue color will be lost?

[@Mikicomi23]

Yes, if you hard scratch the colour will go away. It's like the anodised aluminium, it's just a surface treatment

[@6923mama]

@@Mikicomi23 Thanks!

[@jeebusmcfries8114]

I did this to my aftermarket gshock case. I got good results using a cooking stove. Tip (from my experience), put it on and off the flame often for a more controlled heating.

[@hyemin6314]

Hi. I wonder if this method work for watch case with glass still attach. It will damage glass or not?

[@Mikicomi23]

Yes, it will damage glass and gaskets for sure. You have to fully strip down the case.

[@lewisjoubarne1525]

this video was very helpful. i am working with 14g SS to create art and it takes a while longer to achieve the blue colors. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. It makes a bit difference for DIY.

[@BaritoneMonkey]

Great video! Question: what would this to do stainless steel that has already been heat treated? Curious what would happen to a stainless steel knife blade if I were to apply this method to it

[@Mikicomi23]

Usually stainless steel knife are not quenched and heat treated. They are made with an alloy that has already the right hardens and proprieties for being a good cutting edge. If you heat treated a stainless steel blade you will likely loose some of these properties, making it more fragile. Carbon steel blade could be heat treated but these require a very precise heat cycle for keep the right hardness. So my advice is not to heat treat any blade already sharp.

[@alabaster1913]

A huge help, thank you.

[@remarkablylegendary9952]

I'm trying to do my ring in blue how long does it take I have small butane torch lighter

[@MrAlcmj]

If I were to do some head anodising to a whole watch case, do you think I’d have warping issues?

[@Mikicomi23]

No I don't think so. If you don't overheat, the case should not be deformed.

[@roctive]

That's what I'm thinking about doing. It's going to be my next experiment. Make sure you remove the crystal and any seals. I'm going for a bronze to blue look on a diver case.

[@MrAlcmj]

Cheers, and @roctive that’s going to look great

[@Roobeyns]

Very good and informative! Liked

[@mateomharandrein.4346]

hello good day i just want to ask when im doiing this to a stainless steel after i anodize it becomes foggy? i can't barely see the color when using flashlgihts. pls help thanks

[@Mikicomi23]

You had probably applied too much heat and you had burned the surface. Otherwise you had used the wrong type of flame, you need a pure blue/white flame, like a propane torch.

[@mateomharandrein.4346]

@@Mikicomi23 thank you!!! i bought another butane cause my current butane was almost empty the flame was red, and it works fine now.

[@trondwell13]

heat threaten it?

[@justcam2259]

You can scare the metal with high temperatures

[@Lonewolf_rider]

@@justcam2259 boo👻

[@chinkesh786]

Sir can we do the same heating method for case color change also?? We beed to remove glass for that??

[@Mikicomi23]

Yes you can use the same method for the case. Of course you must disassemble the glass and any gasket. But it's a risk to heat treat the case because you may ruin the water resistance. Don't do that on a watch if you will be interested to keep any water resistance.

[@AgentSmith13]

Could you bake larger pieces like a sheet metal part at a set temperature?

[@Mikicomi23]

Larger is the piece more difficult is to get a consistent temperature. I have made aslo large parts with the flame but the colour is never perfectly uniform. If you can, you should use an high temperature oven (like the dentistry ones). That will allow you to set an high and consistent temperature and perfect results.

[@dilrubanasrin1643]

I left my stainless steel watch near the window for a few days and it got blue near the wristband areas. I could not figure out until I saw this and I’m pretty sure it happened due to the sun plus the angular shape of the transparent box I kept it in. So if I buff the surface will it get removed? The watch itself is rose gold in color and it says all stainless steel on the back.

[@Mikicomi23]

If the watch is plated or coloured in rose gold probably during the manufacturing process has been use some copper in order to better "attach" the plating on the steel case. The blue spots could be some of this copper that oxidi. The temperature of the window is too low for bluish the steel. Anyway I advice you to not buff plated watches, it will remove the plating too! Try to clean it with some liquid polish solution for silver!

[@dilrubanasrin1643]

@@Mikicomi23 Okay I'll try that. Thanks so much!

[@deucedeuce1572]

Are these temperatures hot enough to ruin the heat treatment (strength) of steels that were heat treated for hardness (like firearms parts)? Can they be heated at these temperatures to change the color like this without risking damage to the parts?

[@Mikicomi23]

Mostly depends from the type of steel alloy and the previous heat treatment that the part had revived. For example a high carbon steel is more susceptible to hardness and strength variation due to heat cycles than a high crome stainless steel. Anyway I would absolutely avoid that heat process on any parts that has previously heat treated and requires any specific amount of strength,hardness or are subjected to high load or impact, like springs, blades, gun barrels,...

[@Roka169]

works for aluminum???

[@Mikicomi23]

No! Works well only on steel alloy, chrome and titanium.

[@dkmydkmy162]

Hello, this color fixed or maybe be removed in future?

[@Mikicomi23]

Unless you will re-polish or sand the metal, the colour will be stable over the time.

[@Av3ng3d77x]

daam cool can we convert it into black???

[@Mikicomi23]

With this method black is not possibile... at least a very dark gray.

[@Av3ng3d77x]

@@Mikicomi23 okay..i just did it now.it turn ito blue thanks bro i tried with my ring

[@Av3ng3d77x]

can u give me tips for black?

[@Mikicomi23]

There are some chemical solution that you use for dip in the metal parts to colour, try to look for "cold steel browning solution" .. but are pretty expensive and harmful (and you will get always a very dark gray colour, not black). The only way to get a real black colour is to to use a paint, but will not last long.

[@alexyu6928]

Can I use my kitchen oven to change color of my stainless steel pots and pans to color I want by baking them at different temperature?

[@Mikicomi23]

Kitchen oven would not be hot enough. You need at least consistent 280C/ 530F degrees or above

[@SocialPerspective101]

Is this color permanent? Able to withstand watch's daily usage?

[@Mikicomi23]

I still use these buckle and the colour still fine and it's not fading. Of course minor scratches are present but I think that the same would have happened with any other possible type of surface treatment.

[@SocialPerspective101]

@@Mikicomi23 Im wondering how to create a contraption to hold 2 metal straps parallely to heat. This would ensure both gets same color

[@Mikicomi23]

@@SocialPerspective101 perfect match will be almost impossible. Only with a high temperature oven you can get a consistent coloration.

[@Rowanquinn3]

Subscribed! That's amazing; I want to try it soon (on a stove). Thank you for te tips. :)

[@ramoncorey8843]

i know Im kinda randomly asking but do anybody know of a good site to stream newly released movies online ?

[@troycallan4776]

@Ramon Corey Flixportal :)

[@ramoncorey8843]

@Troy Callan thank you, signed up and it seems like a nice service =) I appreciate it!!

[@troycallan4776]

@Ramon Corey no problem =)

[@felixw1365]

well, i've wanted try it on a stainless pipe, i was scared destroying the stainless properties, thanks to your quench proving, somehow encourage me to do it.

[@666ffdp48]

what pipe?

[@DarkFlameMASTERL]

@@666ffdp48 your mom

[@MrD2108]

Do you think it is possible to heat treat like that a shark mesh bracelet to this blue color without damaging it?

[@Mikicomi23]

Yes, it will work! Just remember to remove any spring bars and any spring loaded mechanism into the clasp before heating. Probably it will work better if you turn it to a yellow/mild brown colour. Reach a consistent purple or blue will be more difficult due to the very complicated surface that the bracelet have.

[@remarkablylegendary9952]

I'm trying to do my ring on my stove how long does it take my ring looks rusted now but not blue

[@Mikicomi23]

You had definitely over-heated the ring. Small objects just takes few seconds to change colour on a stove. You can now polish the ring and try again. Next time you should try to keep the ring 1-2inches above the flame and continuously monitoring the colour changes.

[@gfx2006]

How did you treat the marine nationale nato's metal parts? Did you have to break the threading and re-sew them onto the straps after the treatment? Also, don't the tweezers get hot too during the heating?

[@Mikicomi23]

Yes, i had to un-stitch and re-sew the MN strap (the fabric is soft an could be easily done without a sewing machine). I use long stainless tweezer and yes they become hot too, but not enough to burn yourself. The parts needs to be exposed to the flames not for munch time, so the tweezers don't become supper hot.

[@Comrade79]

can i do this to stainless steel bolt?

[@Mikicomi23]

Yes!

[@johnk8628]

With this process we can do all kinds of stainless steel products? Does it matter if its SS 304 or 316 ? I have seen another setup where we dip the products in a chemical with some electrode current. Can we do that via that method also ?

[@Mikicomi23]

This process works with any kind of stainless steel. The process that you mentioned could be the plating. They use a solution with an other metal dissolved in it (good, silver, zinc, chrome...) and by the electric current this metal crystallize on the part that you are dipping in the solution. But it's very dangerous (harmful chemicals and acids) and difficult to make it right.

[@johnk8628]

@@Mikicomi23 Hi Michele. Thank You for your kind reply. The other mehod I was talking about is called Anodizing. Similar to this process kzbin.info/www/bejne/o17KmKSYaqdmn5I . Can we work the same way and replace Titanium with Stainless Steel ?

[@myscreen2urs]

Does this work just as well if the steel is not stainless?

[@Mikicomi23]

Yes, but then it will rust easier after the heat treatment.

[@nirmalp5430]

can i do this with copper and aluminium , if i do this method with those metals the colour will spread equally.....? pls answer me....!

[@Mikicomi23]

No, only with stainless steel or any chrome plated metals

[@adarshlevan4031]

Brother..i have a stainless watch so can i turn it into lil darker?if so at what point should i stop heating.

[@Mikicomi23]

It's difficult to turn to a darker colour a watch case. Due to the irregular shape is almost impossible to obtain a consistent colour all over the surface. Anyway at 250-260°c stainless steel starts to turn to a mild yellow-brown color. Over 260°c it starts to turn purple.

[@adarshlevan4031]

@@Mikicomi23 thanks bro it worked well, its now a hard brown yellow...will the colour stay for ever ?

[@Mikicomi23]

@@adarshlevan4031 Yes! If you don't scratch or polish the case with some abrasive tool, the colour will last forever

[@adarshlevan4031]

Looking forward for more of your videos

[@madisonmainville4799]

If you over heat it. Is there a way to bring it back to the colour you want??

[@Mikicomi23]

You have to polish or sand the part in order to remove the layer of colour

[@mikevaden4382]

I would gladly pay you to blue a few watch parts for me. I've tried, can't quite master it

[@GlowedUp0]

Can this happen to staples? PLEASE ANSWER CUZ I OPENED SOMETHING WITH BRONZE STAPLES AMD LOST THE STAPLES

[@Mikicomi23]

Yes, It could be done, with different results, to any metal that can oxidize with temperature. But I'm not actually sure to have understood your question.

[@mustafai4898]

that is a great video can you do it with a silver chain strap

[@Mikicomi23]

Yes, it's possible! But will be not easy to achieve a consistent colour all over the strap.

[@mustafai4898]

@@Mikicomi23 do i need to remove all watch links ar can i do it as a whole

[@Mikicomi23]

@@mustafai4898 you have to remove the watch, clasp and spring bars

[@SocialPerspective101]

The tough part is to match the colors.

[@rommelberenguer8938]

I have a metal purse chain and logo that is orange and I want it brass. Could this work for it?

[@Mikicomi23]

If it's stainless steel, it should work. If it's other alloy, it won't work properly.

[@Darkness-li2xm]

Is it normal when im brushing it with my finger and the color goes off??

[@Mikicomi23]

No, probably you are not heating enough. The colour that you are getting is probably just the soot from the flame smoke.

[@Darkness-li2xm]

@@Mikicomi23 oh thanks btw should i do max flame? I was making it on small flame, and how would i know that the color it gets is real that i cannot scratch with my finger?

[@Mikicomi23]

@@Darkness-li2xm high flame. If you don't have anything to measure the flame temperature, the only way is to trial and error.

[@Darkness-li2xm]

@@Mikicomi23 thank you but what could measure the tempereture? Like what you used?

[@tipwanmikisynnah8599]

Name of that heat ?

[@Mikicomi23]

It's just a butane gas torch. You can find it in any hardware or home&kitchen store.

[@williamvivar1686]

Is it possible to use oven toaster instead of torch?

[@Mikicomi23]

I don't think so... these device don't reach the required temperature. Indeed any gas (propane)stove should work fine.

[@williamvivar1686]

Thank you for the information..😊

[@kinematicsyt2868]

You actually can use a toaster oven however you would be sitting there pressing toast for a while I can confirm this because I’ve tried haha

[@AFUVFX]

Kinematics Yt don't try that, your lucky you didn't short the toaster and make it explode

[@도토리먹는다람쥐]

Is blue color cant do it at gasstove?

[@Mikicomi23]

Yes, you can do the blue color on a gas stove!

[@gadingkopi1496]

amazing..

[@SirBlackieChan]

Can this be done to a watch rotor? Has someone tried

[@Mikicomi23]

Yes! It could definitely done. I had done the same treatment with many movement components. Just be careful to completely disassemble all the parts you would to threat. Some rotors (like the eta 2824 and Seiko 7s, 4r and NH) has a small ball bearing on it, you must disassemble that bearing before heat threat! Then, when you will go to heat the rotor, remember that it's very thin so it will heats up very quickly, so pay attention to not overheat!

[@Mikicomi23]

If you don't know how to remove the rotor bearing, this video could help you! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fH2QfnZqibCjbpY

[@SirBlackieChan]

@@Mikicomi23 thx mate!

[@geralddomingo8860]

Nice vid but lets say i already have a colored one , how can i turn it back to silver?

[@Mikicomi23]

For make it silver again you have to sandblast or polish it with an abrasive compound/fine sandpaper.

[@steven3379]

Cool, thanks for the info!

[@blitzTheAVR16U2Enthusiast]

So... is it okay if I skip the step that includes oil?

[@Mikicomi23]

The oil cooling will improve the resistance to further oxidation. It's usefull in particular if you heat the pice to an high temperature. But if you keep the temperature low ( no more than the blue point) you can skip that part.

[@blitzTheAVR16U2Enthusiast]

@@Mikicomi23 Thanks a ton!!!!

[@stankrieger3598]

Good vid. I do wish you would talk about your project rather than us having to read about it.

[@Mikicomi23]

My English pronunciation is not the best... I write the explanation for being more clear to everyone. Maybe in future i should try to speak in my videos. Thanks for the feedback

[@Tsam291093]

Good idea😃 Thank you. I will try on tomorow morning for some buckle and one bracalet But i have a question: will it be clean of by cloth or cape cod after fire?

[@Mikicomi23]

It's just like an anodization, the metal on the surface has changed color. So it will not clean off easily unless you polish away the coloured layer of metal. Cape cod or other polishing cloth are impregnated with some very fine abrasive compound that can sand that layer of coloured oxide away. But I had tried just right now with a cape cod and only by rubbing very very hard you start to have some discolouration, otherwise not. So if you don't use any aggressive method the colour should not be clean off!

[@erickcarrillo9058]

Can this technique be used for the watch case?

[@Mikicomi23]

It could be used, but there is more risk to damage it. I had use this technique on some of my g-shock mod. You take a look at them in videos of the cosmic blue g-shock and of the bloodgood g-shock mod.

[@corncobjohnsonreal]

You can reverse the process by sanding it away lol

[@gkTORO]

Does it will give toxic or effect if use it to food cutlery such as spoon, fork or a knife?

[@Mikicomi23]

If you mean by doing that treatment on a stainless steel fork, definitely not. The blue oxide on the surface is a pretty stable and not armful material. But I would not advice to do that on a knife blade because it could reduce the hardness of the edge. (the edge of a blade is super thin and could be easily over heated and permanently ruined)

[@gkTORO]

@@Mikicomi23 ok, thanks for the info's, 🙂👍

[@Undertaker-pt1un]

Black colour?

[@Mikicomi23]

Black is very hard to get, at least you can get a dark grey...but at these temperatures you are starting to compromise the anti rust proprieties of the stainless. My advice is to stop at the blue point.

[@Undertaker-pt1un]

@@Mikicomi23 can you also color the stainless steel backcase with the same method?

[@Mikicomi23]

@@Undertaker-pt1un definitely yes, any stainless steel parts.

[@terryfarrelly6411]

Fell asleep 😴

[@thisblackjuice]

it will not last

[@Mikicomi23]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2bTp2uOjdGIbJY kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmiWZJ-hh6iHd9k I use buckles treated in this way daily (...as you can see by the strap buckles that I'm wearing in the two videos above). After more 1 years of use, the buckles on these watches still lasting perfectly coloured as the first day. Of course, like any other PVD, plating and surface treatments, the colour could wear away over time. But this treatment is pretty tough and long lasting! Furthermore it is very inexpensive to make and re-do!

[@dons1127]

Thanks sir (Subscribe)

[@opieshomeshop]

*_If I threat stainless steel, will it call the cops on me?_* 👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣