Gun Bluing

[RAP66]

Hi

I was recently given some old rifles and my grandfathers pistol. The blue on the rifles is non-existent, and on the pistol it has wear marks from the holster. I would like to restore the blue on the metal and refinish the stocks of the rifles.

Is it possible to re-blue them at home and nice quality results?

Thanks

Rich

[Vacaville]

I've touched up some bluing with cold blue, and it looks decent for small areas; however, I think that bluing a whole gun is somewhat of an art and is very hard to do at home, since it involves tanks, chemicals, and/or heat depending on the process. Here's the gun bluing Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluing_%28steel%29

Also, be aware that bluing an old firearm may decrease the value to a collector.

[welldriller]

I have not had any luck with G96 or Permablue.
You have to be really careful because the blueing compound will remove the existing blueing.

[Marcus von W.]

If these guns have any value - monetary or sentimental - what so ever, do not, repeat, do not, use that vile, nasty, stinking, disgusting, foul, reeking, crap known as cold blue that has the nauseating stench of a diseased tom cat pizzling on rotten eggs.

Also, depending on what the pistol is, it may be a lot more valuable if you just leave it alone.

[kcstott]

Bluing (Hot bluing that is) is expensive for a reason. When done right, it take a good amount of prep work, a precise process, attention to detail, and some care and pride in craftsman ship.
Nothing about cold blue will ever equal Hot salts bluing.
Clod blue is designed to be quick, easy, and cheep. three words that don't exist in any context of good craftsmanship.

Have the weapons appraised by a reputable gunsmith or dealer. If it turn out you have a bunch of junk go ahead an waste your money on restoring them due to sentimental value. But if they have any real value historic or collector or both. just gently wipe with oil every six months

[RAP66]

The only one worth really worth anything is the grandfather's, it's a Colt MKIII Trooper in .357mag

The other two are 22LR, Marlin model 25 bolt action and a Mossberg 151

[mrlonewolf]

Bluing (Hot bluing that is) is expensive for a reason. When done right, it take a good amount of prep work, a precise process, attention to detail, and some care and pride in craftsman ship.

^^^^ This.

I'd stopped doing hot blueing classes a while back.

Always looking forward to do it again.....sigh....

[Colt562]

PM on its way.

[71kcfdcapt]

You should try rust bluing, just did a Marlin bolt action. Parts have to be degreased very well and you must handle with gloves, fingerprints will ruin the finish.You can use 8oz peroxide, 2 oz vinegar, 1 tbs salt. Add a little heat and it will rust, let it go for several hours too all day. Boil in distilled water in a non galvanized container or pour boiling water over it and let soak for 5 minutes or more, this will turn the brown rust black. Then you card/rub off the black powder with 0000 steel wool, carding brush, denim, paper towel, all will work. Don't rub too hard, take off the color. Repeat many times(3 to 8) until desired color reached or no longer will rust. My 1st try on the Marlin, mag tube did not blacken as well as the rest but I am happy with it. You can also use commercial solutions for rust bluing and browning.

[RAP66]

Has any one tried this product?

http://www.bluewonder.us/

I watched the youtube video and it looks very easy.

-R

[00Medic]

Always looking forward to do it again.....sigh....

If you do start doing classes again I'll be one of the first to sign up. Would really like to learn how to.



No thread jack intended.

[kcstott]

^^^^ This.

I'd stopped doing hot blueing classes a while back.

Always looking forward to do it again.....sigh....

I'd actually be interested in that.

[kcstott]

Has any one tried this product?

http://www.bluewonder.us/

I watched the youtube video and it looks very easy.

-R

Yep and it don't work anywhere near as well as the video shows.

No better then plain old cold blue.

[dangerranger]

Here"s one I rust blued about 7 years ago. I used the laurel mountain product from Brownells. It was easy,no gloves required, but it takes a lot of time. I made it a matte finish to cover some rust pitting that I just couldn't polish out.









This gun is used daily and seven years later I'm still happy with the finish. It took a good two weeks, mostly waiting for the metal to rust. I'm not very good at waiting. But I'm very happy with the end result. its also a very hard finish.

[71kcfdcapt]

Looks great dangerranger! I think it is the best do it yourself method that gives a superior finish when your done. It is very inexpensive, just takes time.