Blueing touch up

**esh21167** · June 22nd, 2013, 05:47 PM

I did a little rework on a Saiga AK and had some bare metal showing from drilling and pinning. Bought some Brownell's Oxpho-Blue after reading several reviews about how well it works. But when I tried it, it was basically like putting water on. Nothing happened.

I need to touch up where I drilled for pins in the gas tube block, front sight block, the visible part of the pins, and about 1/8" of barrel behind where I installed a new front sight block.

Does anyone have any suggestions on a better, but still simple, product. I don't have spraying equipment. Thinking of Aluma-Hyde, so if anyone has ever used that, would welcome any insight on that. Thanks.

**pennlineman** · June 22nd, 2013, 06:18 PM

I've used Oxpho with good results. You have to completely degrease the area for it to work right. I just use a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol.

**bluetrane2028** · June 22nd, 2013, 07:08 PM

Oxpho also takes better if the part is warmed up first. Use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat it up.

**esh21167** · June 26th, 2013, 10:57 AM

Tried the alcohol cleaning and warming with hair dryer. Still nearly nothing. I got one small section on the barrel that darkened very slightly, almost like a tint that I can still see the bare metal through. Does Oxpho have a shelf life? Got it at Cabelas, maybe it's been on the shelf for a long time.

**Pa.Sniper** · June 26th, 2013, 01:11 PM

I use the super blue, seems to work better for me then Brownells Blue.
I also think it works better than the perma blue.

**762xIan** · June 27th, 2013, 07:40 AM

Does Oxpho have a shelf life?

I have Oxpho and Birchwood Casey brand cold blues from at least 10 years ago. As long as it hasn't been contaminated or exposed to high heat/extreme cold or allowed to evaporate, it should last a long time.

The only thing I can think of is the steel itself. Some steels depending on the composition and exterior finish will take bluing differently. If you got a very light color change at first, get some 0000 steel wool and buff the area and apply again. After each application and buffing, it should start to darken up.