Refinishing black seatposts (Steel, XT, XTR)

[jimbog]

So, I had another go this morning. Sanded the entire post down again, cleaned with brake cleaner and applied the bluing agent with a brush again as per the videos I’ve been watching. Same rubbish finish. After several coats and a few attempts to scotchbrite back, I started to loose interest. I decided to give it one last try using a cloth to apply the agent and this time getting loads of agent on the post as quickly as possible. I also used a fair bit of force to rub the agent in, all over. This made a big difference to the finish. Although not perfect, it looks pretty presentable and much more even. I have applied a coat of olive oil and am leaving it until this evening to clean off. Hopefully the results will be worth it.
Nice to save a decent old component that I would have simply sold on. Planning to fit to my Roberts DB build.

 

[Tsundere]

So, I had another go this morning. Sanded the entire post down again, cleaned with brake cleaner and applied the bluing agent with a brush again as per the videos I’ve been watching. Same rubbish finish. After several coats and a few attempts to scotchbrite back, I started to loose interest. I decided to give it one last try using a cloth to apply the agent and this time getting loads of agent on the post as quickly as possible. I also used a fair bit of force to rub the agent in, all over. This made a big difference to the finish. Although not perfect, it looks pretty presentable and much more even. I have applied a coat of olive oil and am leaving it until this evening to clean off. Hopefully the results will be worth it.

That looks great, I wonder if there was an issue with the brush.
After the oil I recommend a coat of wax. It took mine to the next level and has helped protect the finish.

 

[jimbog]

That looks great, I wonder if there was an issue with the brush.
After the oil I recommend a coat of wax. It took mine to the next level and has helped protect the finish.

I used a brand new wide soft brush but I don’t think it was getting the liquid into the steel properly and was puddling in areas. The cloth option is a much better way.
What wax did you use? Car body wax?

 

[Tsundere]

What wax did you use?

Simoniz, but I doubt brand really matters, any neutral polishing wax should do it.

 

[AGT]

So, I had another go this morning. Sanded the entire post down again, cleaned with brake cleaner and applied the bluing agent with a brush again as per the videos I’ve been watching. Same rubbish finish. After several coats and a few attempts to scotchbrite back, I started to loose interest. I decided to give it one last try using a cloth to apply the agent and this time getting loads of agent on the post as quickly as possible. I also used a fair bit of force to rub the agent in, all over. This made a big difference to the finish. Although not perfect, it looks pretty presentable and much more even. I have applied a coat of olive oil and am leaving it until this evening to clean off. Hopefully the results will be worth it.
Nice to save a decent old component that I would have simply sold on. Planning to fit to my Roberts DB build.

I have the same XTR 27.0 seat post, which I might try to restore.

There's some suggestion online that heating the metal and agent improves the process.

 

[jimbog]

I have the same XTR 27.0 seat post, which I might try to restore.

There's some suggestion online that heating the metal and agent improves the process.

I did use a heat gun on mine on the final attempt too