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How to Make Stainless Steel Black for Knife Blades

Black ceramic paint is a durable method for coating a stainless steel knife blade. The 1 to 1.5 mm coating does not increase the sharpness or durability of the blade, but will provide a unique aesthetic affect that may also be useful in hunting applications, where the dull black coating may increase camouflage. This coating is used to protect firearms and knives from corrosive, solvent or abrasive environments where rust or surface distortion must be thwarted.

Things You'll Need

Oven (optional)
Degreaser spray
Sand blaster
Aluminum oxide grit (100 to 120 mesh)
Latex gloves
Black Velvet metal coating paint
Filter funnel
Plastic cup
HVLP paint gun w/ 0.8 mm tip
Clamp
Compressed air

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the handle from the blade and heat the bare blade to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that all oils and contaminants are removed from the metal. If the handle cannot be removed without permanent damage to the handle or blade, use a chemical degreaser to remove surface contaminants.
- 2
  Spray the blade with a pneumatic blast of aluminum oxide particles to remove any coatings or rust, and to provide maximum adhesion for the black coating.
- 3
  Slip on latex gloves before handling the freshly blasted blade to avoid contaminating the blade.
- 4
  Shake the Black Velvet bottle until no solids are left at the bottle's bottom. Pour the liquid through the filter funnel and into a plastic cup to ensure any unwanted particles are removed before the spray is applied. Pour the liquid from the plastic cup into the paint gun canister.
- 5
  Hang the blade from the handle end, using a clamp. Spray the blade with compressed air to remove any dust left over from the blasting process.
- 6
  Spray one coat of Black Velvet over the entire surface of the blade in a brisk, sweeping motion, ensuring not to overspray the liquid to the point that it drips or runs. Allow the blade to air-cure for 35 minutes, after which point you can lightly touch the coated surface to re-install the handle (if it was removed in Step 1). The blade coating is fully cured after five days, after which point you may use the blade.

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