Share Your Perma Blue Experiences

[Mr. Meeseeks]

I've been playing with Birchwood Casey Perma Blue on finish worn small parts, like slide stops, safeties, and sights, and am fairly impressed with the results.

Now I'm thinking of using it on the slide of the Sig P6 that I just DROSed (4/21) and will be picking up late next week.

However, before I start, I'd like to hear from any of you who have more experience in the procedure.

Pros/Cons, suggestions, before and after pics, will be greatly welcomed.

BTW, I've only used the Perma Blue Liquid Gun Blue (prepping the parts with rubbing alcohol), not the complete Liquid Gun Blue Kit.

Sorry if I don't respond immediately, I have to log off after I post this, but will check it from time to time.

Thanks

[The SoCal Gunner]

Pics man!

[deleted by PC police]

I would love to see some pics also. I've been wanting to try to re-blue a gun for fun.

[MKE]

I've used the Birchwood Perma Blue on a SIG P6 slide and the results were very good. Prior to the re-blueing, the P6 was badly worn on all areas, especially the edges and corners.

After the blue had dried, I applied some oil on all areas of the slide to provide a protective coat. I was absolutely pleased with the outcome. I'll post pics of the P6 shortly.

[FMJBT]

I've done several guns with Perma Blue. My first was an old Enfield No.4 Mk1 that had a very worn finish. I used a wire wheel to get everything down to bare metal, followed by a spray down with some electric motor cleaner to remove surface oil. Using a clean rag to apply it, I ended up having to do several applications to get an even color. Since then, I have found that using a small foam brush works better as it holds more of the solution. It also works well over bead blasted surfaces, but you have to quickly rinse the part in water, dry, and oil before it starts to rust.

[tankerman]

Be aware that cold blueing is not as durable as hot blueing, also more difficult to get even coverage.

Dicropan or Oxpho-blue are better products. The Birchwood Casey stuff is fine for touch up work.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1072&title=OXPHO-BLUE~

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1085&title=DICROPAN%20T-4~

[MKE]

Here's my P6 after applying the Birchwood.

This gun had wear marks throughout the slide. I'd say it improved the appearance 100 percent.

[fireblast713]

more pics! but wow, that's pretty impressive.

[kermit315]

that looks nice

[caldude]

I'm not a refinish expert so I can't say I used these products the way they were supposed to be used, but I've tested several bluing products on small pieces, and the one that gave me the best finish was Blue Wonder. The Birchwood Perma Blue was okay also, but was a little more uneven and not as dark as I'd would have liked. The Tetra Blue barely worked, and I did not have good luck with Brownells Oxpho Blue even though others swear by it. The Oxpho Blue gave me more of a silver/blue finish.

[Mr. Meeseeks]

Thanks guys, for all your responses and advice, they've been very helpful.

For instance, I didn't even consider trying out the other competing products. As I stated in the original post, I've only used the Perma Blue on small parts.

Now I'm considering purchasing the other products in small amounts and trying them out on scrap pieces of steel before I attempt it on the P6.

MKE, thanks for the pics of your P6. They were exactly what I was hoping to see. Great job BTW, IT LOOKS GREAT.

As for my P6, I plan on eventually sending it out for a refinish, but thought for the mean time I would use it as an opportunity to play and learn a little bit more about home smithing.

Thanks again,
loosewreck