Slow Rust Bluing

[kendog4570]

It will come out brown, not blue.
Also be careful, some of that stuff has an aggressive "bite" to it and will etch the metal quite a bit. It is meant for putting a brown finish on muzzle loaders. Left too long and the metal can take on a 40 grit sandblasted texture.
For actual rust blue, try Pilkingtons, available through Brownells. Fairly user friendly. Don't need to build a damp box to get good results. 4 or 5 cycles will turn out a really nice finish.
The real secret to a beautiful finish is in the polish and prep.
Have fun and good luck!

[kcstott]

Lets clear one thing up though. There is a difference between rust browning and rust blueing.

Same basic process just that in rust blueing the part is boiled to convert the rust. It still have a hint of brown to it but side by side you can see the difference between rust blued and rust browned.

Make sure you are using the chemicals and the process for the out come you desire.

[sengk]

According to the manufacture this does both. If you want to brown you apply it with out the hot water bath. To blue it you boil the part in hot distiller water before each carding.

[dangerranger]

I used the Laurel Mtn on this Single Six a few years back and am very happy with the result. I did 5 coats and if I did another Id do a min of 10. It still looks great after 5 years but I did some more that I put 10 coats on and the depth of the blue is much more visible. Its easy to do but time consuming. I carded with 0000 steel wool and burlap. wrap either around a stick and polish away! DR

[kendog4570]

According to the manufacture this does both. If you want to brown you apply it with out the hot water bath. To blue it you boil the part in hot distiller water before each carding.

I didn't know that. Thanks.
Some of the other browning solutions have a very aggressive etch.

125 years ago, all forms of firearm metal finishes (blue, black, etc.) were called "browning".

[sengk]

Should this be done in two steps, inside the frame first the outside or the whole frame at once. I'm afraid of messing up the finish by touch parts that I've already gone over with the solution. If I am only applying the solution to the inside of the frame then I can hold the outside and vice versa. The downside is this will take longer to complete the whole frame.

Dangerranger, thanks for posting those pictures. That's a nice looking ruger. You did an excellent job.

[dangerranger]

Should this be done in two steps, inside the frame first the outside or the whole frame at once. I'm afraid of messing up the finish by touch parts that I've already gone over with the solution. If I am only applying the solution to the inside of the frame then I can hold the outside and vice versa. The downside is this will take longer to complete the whole frame.

Dangerranger, thanks for posting those pictures. That's a nice looking ruger. You did an excellent job.

The Laurel Mtn product isn't effected by the oils in finger prints. It's also a degreaser. One of the reasons I chose it was its ease of use. The only thing I had trouble with was in the directions it says do not brush back and forth and they mean it! any back and forth motion brings up a copper colored film that resists rust. This meant I needed to go over some areas more to even out the finish. Its an easy product to use, just as stated before put the full 10 coats on and you will be happy. DR

[sengk]

This is the rear sight after 7 application. I don't think I waited long enough for it to rust on the 1st 3 applications but overall I think it turned out pretty good. Now on to the 1911 frame.

[dangerranger]

I live where its very dry, I had to put the gun parts in a black plastic bag with steaming hot towels to get it humid enough to rust properly. In the bay area You should have enough moisture in the air to get it started. Maybe just let it set a little longer. DR

[sengk]

This is how it looked on the 2nd application after a full day of sitting in the bathroom.

[sengk]

This is how it looked on the 6th application. I stopped here because it stopped rusting even with the solution applied. It's actually a nice dark color but the flash makes it seem lighter. The finish could've been "prettier" if I had taken more time to prep the metal after media blasting but all I needed was a dark durable finish which was achieved.

[M. D. Van Norman]

[sengk]

Nice!!!

[M. D. Van Norman]