Need a Good Blueing Kit?

[Tom Wesenberg]

A short time ago someone posted pictures of their nicely restored 3X plugs. I asked what they used for the blueing and it was a number, rather than a name as I recall. I tried the search, but can't find the thread.

Anyway I want a good blueing kit to do distributor clips, 3X plugs, and a rifle barrel. I don't care for Birchwood Casey, and would actually like to try a hot blueing kit, if the price is right. Any ideas? Thanks

[metalho]

Tom I agree with the you on BWC liquid cold bluings, they never last. Ive blued alot of gun part and nothing works like hot salts, BUT try the BWC bluing CREAM first. Its nothing like the liquid and comes out a wonderful shade of colt blue.

[metalho]

This what it looks like

[Clem Clement]

I have had some success with 4440.

[metalho]

Originally Posted by Clem Clement

I have had some success with 4440.

4440 is good, but like wayyyyyyyy fast. More black than blue.

[gwhite]

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Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

A short time ago someone posted pictures of their nicely restored 3X plugs. I asked what they used for the blueing and it was a number, rather than a name as I recall. I tried the search, but can't find the thread.

Anyway I want a good blueing kit to do distributor clips, 3X plugs, and a rifle barrel. I don't care for Birchwood Casey, and would actually like to try a hot blueing kit, if the price is right. Any ideas? Thanks

That's me...the bluing cream is G96, available at Bass Pro Shops (among others).

[MikeK]

Cold bluing gives a selenium based finish, WAY less durable than true "hot" blue which is actually rather black as it is magentite (Fe3O4).

You can do your own hot blue in the back yard, at about 275F, with about $10 worth of stuff. Here's a LINK, you need to read the entire thread.

Make sure you use Drain OUT, not "Draino" which does not work. Here's the MSDS LINK for Drain Out, showing the requisite 2:1 proportions of hydroxide and nitrate for hot bluing.

After rinsing in boiling water and drying wipe down the still warm parts with boiled linseed oil, not motor oil. Let the oil finish polymerize at room temp for a few days, then buff lightly with a cloth. I've done many old tools this method, all far superior to cold blue, albiet very black in final finish.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Thanks MikeK and gwhite, I'll buy both and give them a try.

[Drive Shaft Dave]

Tom, I think there used to be a product called Hoppes used in the firearm hobby. A friend of mine back in the sixties used to use this in restoring rifle's,try googling Hoppes. I remember seing this stuff in a small brown bottle with a yellow label.

[Drive Shaft Dave]

Google Hoppes Gun bluing kit, 10 .41 cents.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Hoppes and Outer's both would be better than Birchwood Casey, but B/C seems to be all that most places stock. Must be the cheapest.

[Garage Dog]

Thanks all of that is very interesting