We report reflectance measurements on stainless steel colored in an acid solution. We have obtained a-values between 0.62 and 0.91 together with e = 0.1. The steel deteriorates at temperatures over 200°C; the deterioration mechanisms are dehydration and oxidation. We suggest that the colored steel should be stabilized at higher temperatures by coating it with a thin film such as Cr2O3, SiO2, Al2O3 or Si3N4.