Alternatives to Bluing?

**OldKingKibitzer** · August 2nd, 2013, 11:30 AM

I have a blued revolver. I'm looking to do something different. I poked around some but did not find much info.

What alternatives to bluing are out there?

I have heard of tough gun coating but am not too familiar with it. Is there a product out there I could use once the bluing is stripped off to keep the silver/steel color? What would the cost be for some of these products?

**WWGunslinger** · August 2nd, 2013, 11:05 PM

lots of stuff out there. off the top of my head - melonite, cerakote, ionbond, duracoat, gunkote, roguard, np3 plus, case hardening, armor-tuff

some of these may be the same thing but with different names.

**SauerGrapes** · August 2nd, 2013, 11:42 PM

You cold also check out hard chromed. This is an industrial chrome plate. Not similar to or shiny like automotive chrome. Tuff as nails.

**j_imp_99** · August 2nd, 2013, 11:44 PM

PVD TiN coating

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**Armor Snail** · August 2nd, 2013, 11:46 PM

For a wheelgun I understand that any painted or baked on coating is a waste and will get burned off in places due to the gap between the cylinder and forcing cone.

Electroless nickle or bust.

**borekfk** · August 3rd, 2013, 12:36 AM

I really wouldn't suggest it, but my Indian 2A1 Lee-Enfield was finished in a mixture of cosmolene and black paint. Iraqveteran8888 has a video up and shows off a very old Colt DA revolver that they parkerized and it looked pretty nice.

**harold63** · August 3rd, 2013, 12:45 AM

Chrome, nickel, or or bluing is the only way I would go. You can also get it gold plated through an electrolytic process. Gold with pearl grips.....? Hmmmm....

**OldKingKibitzer** · August 3rd, 2013, 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by WWGunslinger

lots of stuff out there. off the top of my head - melonite, cerakote, ionbond, duracoat, gunkote, roguard, np3 plus, case hardening, armor-tuff

some of these may be the same thing but with different names.

Any of these I could do myself after I strip off the bluing?

**Brian Ahearn** · August 3rd, 2013, 07:19 AM

Armor Snail is correct do not cerakote or duracoat your revolver it is a complete waste of time and money. At about 200 to 220 rounds durakote fails and at about 440 cerakote fails on the cylinder due to the escaping gases between the barrel and cylinder, You will end up with a burned ring around the front end of the cylinder. A better method would be hard chroming- increased corrosion protection as well. Try www.mahovskysmetalife.com - he is here in Pa and has a good reputation and reasonable prices. Brian / EFR Cerakote specialist