How To Achieve Forge Black Iron Rustproofing and Metal Finish

This metal finish is known among afficianadoes of forged iron metal work as FORGE BLACK, and it derives from a technique dating back over a thousand years. This method is an attractive finish and a very early method for the rust proofing of iron.
The metal is first meticulously cleaned with 00 emery cloth or steel wool, then washed with denatured alcohol, shellac grade. This is to remove all grease and dirt. Do this with clean cloth or paper gloves on so that further grease from handling is not deposited.
As soon as this is dry, coat with linseed oil by wiping, brushing or spraying. Immediately heat over the forge with air flow applied. This adds free carbon to the burning oil, and an enamel like finish will eventually result, once the oil is all burned off. Do not heat above black. When the piece stops smoking, remove, cool, and wipe with a cloth to remove free soot. This leaves a good black finish and has been used for ages as an initial treatment for iron, with defeat of rust as its main ideal.      ------------------------------------------    

One of the best places for metal stock and parts is used lawnmower shops.  Of course the local junk/salvage car lot is a veritable smorgasbord of free and cheap materials and parts.  If you are a true owlhooter and look real carefully for anything of value, you never know what you will find stashed in little boxes, or in trunks of cars.  It definitely pays to look carefully.

Shop Tip: Metal can be cleaned very easily by immersion in salt water while applying battery power.  Run a wire from the negative side of a D sized Duracell battery to the item being cleaned, and the positive side of the battery wire up to a salvaged piece of stainless steel like a one piece butterknife marked stainless.  Immerse them together but NOT touching, in the salt water, and watch the corrosion or encrustation "Bubble Away" through this electrolytic process.  No smoking as the gas given off here is hydrogen, flammable.  Do it outside, and get rid of the wastes by dehydrating the electrolyte (Evaporation),  then dispose of as solid.  Rinse the cleaned object well and treat with light heat to dry thoroughly. 

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