Blackening Stainless Steel

[Mr Gazza]

Thanks for the heads up to the Sur Fin Kato. I searched hard for a DIY kit but found nothing in the UK, plenty for doing steel though.

I can't claim to know exactly what the process is for Stainless Nasher. I just said make 'em Black willya? I know it differs from steel.
It's described as Black Anodising on their website (which I linked to), but I think it involves a lot of nasty caustic chemicals and witchcraft.
Curiously the parts all came bathed in a light oil and nicely presented in little paper bags (like sweeties) which soaked up the oil. I hope this doesn't imply that the resilience of the stainless is compromised in some way?

MP Eastern also offer an anodising service for aluminium and electroplating for other metals too. Century also offer these services at a higher minimum charge for small batches such as we would be likely to commission for bikes.
I posted them up for your favourites bar for the future should anyone be interested.