How to Finish 12L14

[lomahoney]

I'm new to this. Mostly I hobby-machine lots of 6061 aluminum which I've been getting anodized locally (an expensive proposition), but I also do a bit with 12L14 steel. It machines beautifully , but tends to rust . Any suggestions for how to produce a shiney, color finish on this metal? Powder coating?

Larry
New Orleans

[Fibergeek]

12L14 is a low carbon steel with minute quantities of lead to improve its machining qualities. It accepts any finish used on low carbon steel, the lead has no effect.
The best looking shiney colored finish would be hot caustic blueing applied over a highly polished surface, like on a fine firearm.

[mcaswell]

Or powder coat it.