Copper alloys with 85% or more copper content may be colored red by the following treatment: Immerse cleaned and, if a high finish is desired, polished parts in a solution of molten potassium nitrate at 640-704'C (1200-1300'F) for 20-30 s. The parts then quenched in hot water [about 66'C (150'F)], rinsed, dried, and lacquered.