<p>It's possible that the only option available would be to use anodizing of a single or multiple colors. There are many resources, especially the YouTube type that can advise you. One recent video that is clearly presented is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnUUJjplIgg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">"Easy Aluminum Anodizing - Wawa dog tag"</a></p>

<p>It's generally considered difficult to get uniform coloration, although the result in the video is quite good. In your case you may not want it to be particularly uniform. You can accomplish gradients by immersing the part in stages. The first section will be in the longest and have the deepest coloring, while later segments will be in for less time.</p>

<p>The reverse can be true too, in that you immerse the entire part and remove it in gradual stages.</p>

<p>Heat can't be used to accomplish the desired effect. It works great on some steel and on titanium, but simply melts aluminum.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-08T23:34:53.913Z
I agree, anodizing might be the only way. Thanks for the input
Ryan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-08T00:54:55.987Z
2019-03-08T00:54:55.987Z
fred_dot_u
<p>Im working on a project with aluminum Ive machined. I want to give it the rainbowy effect of heated steel known as the “heat affected zone”. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get the most realistic result? </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Snx62.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Snx62.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-08T01:53:26.107Z
Aluminum does not heat tint like iron alloys and titanium.
blacksmith37
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-12T09:45:22.833Z
@blacksmith37 That's perhaps why he's asking for the 'effect' of heated steel.
Joachim
<medium-selection><metal><metalworking>
Realistic tempered steel effect on aluminum
Ryan
# Realistic tempered steel effect on aluminum

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-03-07)

Im working on a project with aluminum Ive machined. I want to give it the rainbowy effect of heated steel known as the “heat affected zone”. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get the most realistic result?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/Snx62.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/Snx62.jpg)

**Tags:** medium-selection, metal, metalworking

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Aluminum does not heat tint like iron alloys and titanium.  
> **username_2**: @username_1 That's perhaps why he's asking for the 'effect' of heated steel.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2019-03-08. Score: 3

It's possible that the only option available would be to use anodizing of a single or multiple colors. There are many resources, especially the YouTube type that can advise you. One recent video that is clearly presented is ["Easy Aluminum Anodizing - Wawa dog tag"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnUUJjplIgg)

It's generally considered difficult to get uniform coloration, although the result in the video is quite good. In your case you may not want it to be particularly uniform. You can accomplish gradients by immersing the part in stages. The first section will be in the longest and have the deepest coloring, while later segments will be in for less time.

The reverse can be true too, in that you immerse the entire part and remove it in gradual stages.

Heat can't be used to accomplish the desired effect. It works great on some steel and on titanium, but simply melts aluminum.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I agree, anodizing might be the only way. Thanks for the input  

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