Stainless Steel Look

[dpbarry]

Hi all..

Is there a way of producing a stainless steel look on metal parts.

I'm currently building a Radio Controlled 12th scale model of an RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Instutition) Mersey Class lifeboat which has a number of stainless steel parts. I wish to keep the look as authentic as possible hence the question.

I've read something about using Nickel and antiquing it but I'm not sure what that means. The Nickel part I understand but the Antiquing bit I'm not sure.

Also, does it matter what metal the part is made from?

My reason for asking is that most of the parts I have are cast in White metal. Will Nickel plating work with white metal castings? I'm also looking at casting with Brass and Aluminium as the Whitematal for some of the parts is quite soft.

Help greatly appreciated.

Declan Barry
N. Ireland

[fxstcguy98]

what the heck are you talking about "stainless steel look"? Stainless can look like anything from a dull grey all the way up to chrome like mirror finish.

[dpbarry]

Originally Posted by fxstcguy98

what the heck are you talking about "stainless steel look"? Stainless can look like anything from a dull grey all the way up to chrome like mirror finish.

Cripes..Sorry I spoke!!

I was only asking a question on obtaining a finish to look like stainless steel but with not such a billiard ball shine as Nickel Plated and polished. Nickel may do my job but is it possible to slighly dull it down.

Declan

[fxstcguy98]

I still don't know what color your looking to duplicate. A pic. would be helpfull. As far as you nickle question goes, if you use a nickle that has no brighteners in it, it will plate dull. Nickle will plate directly to white metal and brass, but you will need to zincate the aluminum first. When you pull the part out of the nickle bath and look at it, you will then realize that nickle has a yellow tint to it (like tarnished silver) and looks nothing like stainless steel. It would be easier, cheaper and more acurate to duplicate the SS look with aluminum which looks just like it. Thus the confussion on what you are looking for.
By the way, if I was tring to be sarcastic or a jerk in my previous post, you definitly would have known it.

[jrow]

Declan,

Are you trying to get a SS finish like that of a SS Sink? I believe it's called a "Brushed Finish".

John

[dpbarry]

Originally Posted by fxstcguy98

what the heck are you talking about "stainless steel look"?

Sorry, Your first 10 words made me take a step back as though I stood on your toes for asking such a question.

I'm trying to get a picture of the fairlead on the full size lifeboat to give an indication as to what I am looking for.

Regards

Declan