Bluing is just one part of necessary maintenance on older firearms.
Rust has been a natural enemy of guns since the first one was invented centuries ago. Guns are used in inclement weather, and perspiration transfers from the skin to the metal even through clothing and holsters. Coating a firearm with a thin layer of planned rust that prevents furthering rusting is known as bluing. It can be done safely at a kitchen table or in a home workshop. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Dissemble the firearm, keeping only the parts that you want to blue at the work table.
2. Scrub the metal parts with a dishwashing soap designed to cut grease, and a stiff brush. Use a toothbrush to reach into the small nooks and crannies. Let the pieces dry after rinsing, and examine the parts. If there is any remaining oil or grease, re-wash the parts.
3. Wipe the parts with a commercial bluing remover. Let the compound sit on the parts for five minutes, and then dip the steel wool into the bluing remover and gently rub the metal until all the existing bluing is gone. If the blue removal seems to be slowing down, wipe the metal off, reapply more bluing remover and start with a fresh piece of steel wool. This step may take several hours to several weeks depending upon the thickness and amount of the existing bluing. Rub the steel wool with the direction of the grain and not in a circular motion.
4. Clean the parts with soap and water after the bluing is gone to remove any leftover chemicals.
5. Place the parts into an oven pre-heated at the very lowest temperature for five minutes after they have dried.
6. Wipe the still-warm parts with the aluminum oxide pad, dipped into the bluing compound. Use a thin, consistent coat.
7. Wait one minute after drying and then rinse the parts with cold water and dry. Apply as many coats as necessary in the same fashion to reach the blue color you prefer. Let the parts dry thoroughly after the last coat and rinsing.
Tags: parts with, bluing remover, steel wool, bluing gone, existing bluing