Best cold bluing solution
- Thread starter Archarris
- Start date
Having watched and American Gunsmithing Instute video on refinishing I agree with Scorch.
If you have to ask, you don't have the tools and knowledge (neither do I) that are necessary for the job. I've learned that if it isn't done right it'll cost you a lot more later to undo the mess created by cheap solutions.
If you have to ask, you don't have the tools and knowledge (neither do I) that are necessary for the job. I've learned that if it isn't done right it'll cost you a lot more later to undo the mess created by cheap solutions.
Brownells Oxpho-Blue. http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...ld-bluing-chemicals/oxpho-blue--prod1072.aspx
I wish I had pictures of it when i first did it, a GP-100 completely re-blued with 44/40, because i didn't have any $$ at the time. It was my first blue job, the revolver saw lots of carry in the woods in some pretty rough weather.
The bluing holds oil quite well, and has been durable. The most important thing in any bluing process is the metal prep IMO.
The bluing holds oil quite well, and has been durable. The most important thing in any bluing process is the metal prep IMO.
shootniron
New member
Exactly right!
I have seen some fine looking guns that have been done by "noobs"...although, they did their homework before starting.
I have just never been able to get the nerve to try it.
I don't specifically remember how many applications, but it was several, in between each application I polished lightly with new, fine steel wool. I had much more time in metal prep than actually bluing, it took quite a few hours total.
I can't seem to lay my hands on a bottle of 44/40 right now, but I think it is supposed to cure under a coat of oil when you finish.
Jim Watson
New member
The local shop is actually doing some whole gun bluing with Oxpho Blue when it is too much trouble to fire up the tanks or wait out the rusting process.
It looks very good. I have not used anything done with it enough to see how it wears, but have hopes.
The Brownells bluing instruction manual, available in PDF from their site, goes into detail on how to do it. It is NOT just a swipe it on process as you would touch up a worn spot.
It looks very good. I have not used anything done with it enough to see how it wears, but have hopes.
The Brownells bluing instruction manual, available in PDF from their site, goes into detail on how to do it. It is NOT just a swipe it on process as you would touch up a worn spot.
FWIW, I have used G96 Gun Blue Paste with good results, BUT, NO cold blue, repeat, NO cold blue, is really durable. If you boil the parts and swab and card, you can create an imitation rust blue that is fairly durable, but that is as much work and trouble as using a real rust blue, so nothing is saved by using cold blue.
Jim
Jim
Bill DeShivs
New member
Just buy rust bluing solution from Brownells, and do it properly.
Cold blue sucks.
Cold blue sucks.
Huffmanite
New member
I prefer either Novum Solutions "Blue Wonder" (have a black version too) or Brownell's Oxpho Blue (cream version works better than liquid version for me) to cold blue a firearm. I've had good and bad results with both products, but they have worked better overall than other cold blue products I've tried. Both products wear quite well and the Oxpho is easier to use and less costly than the Blue Wonder. If I'm redoing an old rifle not worth much, I'll use the Oxpho. Use the Blue Wonder on firearm I really am concerned about turning out nice.
A lot depends on the metal you are working with. Basically a barrel takes cold blue better than a receiver because a barrel is softer. Have a barrel on an old BSA rifle from the late 60s ready to be cold blued and expect it to turn out nice. Will not try to do the receiver on the rifle as it is in better condition than the barrel and as I mentioned already, its hit and miss on a receiver due to its metallurgy.
A lot depends on the metal you are working with. Basically a barrel takes cold blue better than a receiver because a barrel is softer. Have a barrel on an old BSA rifle from the late 60s ready to be cold blued and expect it to turn out nice. Will not try to do the receiver on the rifle as it is in better condition than the barrel and as I mentioned already, its hit and miss on a receiver due to its metallurgy.
This is what I ended up with. I used Plum Brown and then boiled in distilled water. I gave it 5 coats. I'm quite happy with the results, it came out better than I'd hoped. The picture dosnt do it justice. It has a very even dark blue/ black finish. Thank you everyone for all the advise.
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Since you are doing a percussion revolver an easy and durable finish can be obtained with rust bluing and is the way many of the originals were finished.
Order some Art's Belgian blue from Midway. All you will need then is some distilled water and a pan large enough to hold the cylinder and barrel. Polish no finer than 320 grit and have some OOOO degreased steel wool. You can do it on the stove top as all you are doing is boiling water. With just a little care you can end up with a great blue job every bit as durable if not more so that hot caustic blue. Midway has a you tube video on this. Check it out.
Order some Art's Belgian blue from Midway. All you will need then is some distilled water and a pan large enough to hold the cylinder and barrel. Polish no finer than 320 grit and have some OOOO degreased steel wool. You can do it on the stove top as all you are doing is boiling water. With just a little care you can end up with a great blue job every bit as durable if not more so that hot caustic blue. Midway has a you tube video on this. Check it out.
silverbullet
Inactive
Finally Found Something I can Do!
My first experience was about ten years ago. Bought the kit. Read the directions. Blued the rifle.
Pretty simple.
I was lucky to have a friend with a blast cabinet. He blasted it clean with walnut shells. It had no pitting just the wear from years of use.
That may be the key. Get it clean, get it right then the blueing is really simple. I used two coats.
Waited about three weeks and oiled it up good. Got a nice finish too.
Its still in the same condition as it was the day I blued it.
Who Knew?
My first experience was about ten years ago. Bought the kit. Read the directions. Blued the rifle.
Pretty simple.
I was lucky to have a friend with a blast cabinet. He blasted it clean with walnut shells. It had no pitting just the wear from years of use.
That may be the key. Get it clean, get it right then the blueing is really simple. I used two coats.
Waited about three weeks and oiled it up good. Got a nice finish too.
Its still in the same condition as it was the day I blued it.
Who Knew?
This. It's all in the preparation. You can express blue it but this process will take several days. After polishing and degreasing, you apply the rusting solution and let it hand in a sweat cabinet (box/pvc with a can of water and a light bulb) for a day. Remove it and card it off, degrease, apply another coat of rust solution and back into the box. Repeat until desired blued is attained.