Cold bluing

[P89]

I've watched several videos and read some articles but still undecided. I bought a Tradition's DIY kit for a wall hanger.
So far I'm leaning to Brownells oxpho-blue.

Who here has done this and what did you use?

[kobsw]

P89, Are you planning on doing a full re-blue or touchup?

I've used Birchwood Casey Super Blue for touchup and I'm satisfied but it's no where near hot blueing.

Using Birchwood Casey you first clean the area with denatured alcohol, put on the cold blue with a cotton swab, wait 10 seconds, clean off with a wet cloth and then use 0000 still wool to polish.

Be carful to not leave it on for more than 10 seconds or surface rust will form also be sure to get every last drop off of cold blue off or the next time you use your gun those areas will be fully rusted(TRUST ME).

Try testing things on a piece of carbon steel you don't care about. Finally, if you screw something up use Fitz polish to remove your mistake(s) and start over.

Show us how you make out.

Best,

Kobsw

[Hodgie]

I've watched several videos and read some articles but still undecided. I bought a Tradition's DIY kit for a wall hanger.
So far I'm leaning to Brownells oxpho-blue.

Who here has done this and what did you use?

I have pretty much used them all and while Black Oxide is my permanent go to for entire rifles the Oxopho-blue is the best cold blue out there on the market for touch up to larger projects. I had a lot of before and after larger project pictures using Oxopho-Blu but because of how shitty Photobucket is now there is no easy way to share them. The most important part is how you prepare the surface area you are going to reblue, poor prep work and you end up with a poor bluing.

[ar15jules]

You have the adantage of having your kit come "in the white". I had pretty good success with the Birchwood Casey kit, but have heard the Oxpho Blue is the cat's ass. The good thing is if it turns out like shit, you can remove the bluing and try it again. Are you friendly with any shops that have hot tanks? I know that takes away from the "project" but it works so much better.

[P89]

This is the kit I got...didn't pay that for it.
After seeing the quality I'd be pissed if I paid that.
https://www.traditionsfirearms.com/p...cal-Percussion

I'd hot tank it but his is basically a decoration that may get used at some point.
I have another smoke pole for hunting.

[ar15jules]

It will be a fun project.

[P89]

It will be a fun project.

So far it has made me get a new Dremel tool. The fit is lacking and the trigger guard is crooked in the stock and someone stopped short with the router.
I expected to sand a little but there's a good 3/16" of wood the protrudes past the butt plate.
Gives me something to do when I'm not plowing snow.

[Hodgie]

Let's get back to the point of all this...bluing.

The oxpho-blue didn't do a bad job on a "white" barrel but I rubbed forever to achieve bluish results. Of course real bluing would yield much better results.
However, when you use it on a gun that is already blued the results are fantastic!
I have an ol Ted Williams shotgun that I've been abusing ever since I started hunting. I broke it down and used the oxpho on it.
WOW! That's where this stuff is great!

Did you make sure to fully degrease the parts and it helps big time to warm them up with a heat gun or blow dryer before bluing.

[P89]

I didn't use denatured alcohol because I didn't have any handy, I used Dupont reducer for automotive applications. Don't know if that was the cause.
Everything was room temp and it hung in front of the heater in the garage for a while.
I bought a big bottle of it so I can keep doing the process until I'm...um...blue in the face.

[Hodgie]

I’ve just washed everything with automotive or parts degreaser as well. It’s going to take multiple coats and after each I would coat in a basic oil like a three in one over night to cure, degrease and start again until
It’s where you want it.

If this is something you find yourself doing again look into a black oxide kit from Casewell.

http://www.caswellplating.com/metal-...xide-kits.html