how to get a black patina on steel?

[Antonio]

I recently completed my steel stools in the workshop next door and I'd like to give them a nice patina similar to these below:

http://www.archello.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/header_detail_large/Effetto_Acciaio_Ossidato.jpg
http://www.amtico-cn.com/_uploadfile/image/20150508/20150508094759825982.jpg

Can this be achieved with household products  (heating and wiping cooking oil or similar)?

It's a very small project, so I would prefer not to buy yet another nasty chemical that will end up mostly unused at the bottom of the cupboard.
If you know where to buy a very small amount like a tester that should also do.

Thanks,
Antonio

[Luca Torrente]

Are you talking about anodizing?

If that's the case have a look at this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g-azzYnMYo

Luca

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[Adrian Godwin]

You can get steel blacking, but maybe that's the nasty chemical you don't want.

Rusted steel will turn black using this process. Not sure what it will do to non-rusted steel and how durable it is.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electrolytic-Rust-Removal-aka-Magic/

My favourite process is to heat it up and drop it in a bath of used engine oil. But you might need a big bath for something the size of a stool.

[DomK]

There is a product that the YouTube Jimmy DiResta uses. Can't remember which video but it appears in most of the metal work videos. Try is bench one as I think he shows the bottle on camera

[geekinesis]

All good advice but Just remember you can't polish a stool.

[Antonio Fontaíña]

Thanks all. Those are interesting options.

I was looking for something much simpler such as wiping a household chemical or heating up the steel etc.

Dipping in a bath requires too much infrastructure and planning. This is not a quality project. I might just leave them as they are, without any protection and wait for the real patina to happen.

They already have some 'character' thanks to my poor grinding and welding skills :D

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Hello, 

That I did it a few time with good results is heating up the steel until and dip it in old motor oil or rubbing the metal a cloth lightly soaked in the same oil can work also if the piece cant be dipped. Keeping in mind all the safety stuff of course. Depending on the applied heat the final effect may vary but black is easier, I never try to go for the blue. Look for "oil bluing" and maybe you will find more info. 

Cheers. 

Carlos.