Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Who has experience cold bluing a gun barrel? Not just a touch up, but the whole barrel. I've seen the videos, listened to the testimonials, but I would like some opinions based on real world experience. What looks best, what lasts, how easy or hard to do without special equipment. Sgt. C.J. Sabre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Sir Oxpho-Blue , from Brownells clean well , follow directions on bottle Chickasaw Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G W Wade Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 + 1 had good results GW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 I used cold blue on an old Stephens .22. Careful polishing and de-greasing will give a very nice finish. But it is not as durable as hot blue and will wear off much quicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 I used cold blue on an old Stephens .22. Careful polishing and de-greasing will give a very nice finish. But it is not as durable as hot blue and will wear off much quicker. I'm hoping that someone knows of a cold blue that doesn't wear too quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck Bisley Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 You could try the Blue Wonder bluing process... http://www.bluewonder.us/BlueWonderGunBlue.html It's technically not cold blue as other products are referred to If you follow the directions it does hold up pretty well. You could also try could also try black oxide http://www.caswellplating.com/metal-finishing-solutions/black-oxide-kits.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 Hot blue! Cold blue, is best for 'touch-ups'. OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curley Cole, SASS #56849 Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 http://sdough.smugmug.com/Art/Just-For-Fun/i-XNgNCN7/0/M/Gun1-M.jpg http://sdough.smugmug.com/Art/Just-For-Fun/i-nfRK9xr/0/M/docgun1-M.jpg this gun was cold blued all over almost 30 years ago. it was an EMF "kit" gun. it has worn down to look pretty cool the gun in the book is Doc Hollidays, and they look almost identical... curley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 Posted December 24, 2014 Author Share Posted December 24, 2014 http://sdough.smugmug.com/Art/Just-For-Fun/i-XNgNCN7/0/M/Gun1-M.jpg http://sdough.smugmug.com/Art/Just-For-Fun/i-nfRK9xr/0/M/docgun1-M.jpg this gun was cold blued all over almost 30 years ago. it was an EMF "kit" gun. it has worn down to look pretty cool the gun in the book is Doc Hollidays, and they look almost identical... curley What kind of cold blue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 CJS- I think you are going to be most satisfied with a rust blue, like: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/metal-bluing/specialty-bluing-chemicals/classic-rust-blue-prod22820.aspx It takes a little setup, you probably want to pull the barrel off the action to do it. But it produces a blue that is as tough as most hot blues and can be done in your garage or workshop. I've done a pistol and a shotgun barrel set that way and been very pleased with both deep even color and good wear resistance. Good luck,GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 Posted December 24, 2014 Author Share Posted December 24, 2014 CJS- I think you are going to be most satisfied with a rust blue, like: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/metal-bluing/specialty-bluing-chemicals/classic-rust-blue-prod22820.aspx It takes a little setup, you probably want to pull the barrel off the action to do it. But it produces a blue that is as tough as most hot blues and can be done in your garage or workshop. I've done a pistol and a shotgun barrel set that way and been very pleased with both deep even color and good wear resistance. Good luck,GJ Removing the barrel is pretty much not going to be done. The gun I'm looking to re-blue is an old, Uberti SAA. The barrel and cylinder are somewhat beat up. Not bad, but I wouldn't mind cleaning them up. I don't want to spend a lot of money on a gun I only paid $225 for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted December 25, 2014 Share Posted December 25, 2014 You don't get perfect results and easy application out of the same jar. If you want easy, then Brownells OxphoBlue. Apply several coats. If you want really nice results at home and you are handy, then rust blue. That can be done with barrel in frame, you will probably need to blue frame if you do it that way. If none of the above, a lower end hot blue job would pay for itself on bringing gun back up in value some. Best results only come from best metal preparation and polishing. I look at it as - the gun was cheap, so you have more money to spend on the refinish. If the goal is a ratty gun, you got that already. If it is to be a pretty gun, hot blue with at least a factory level polish. In between - is the nuanced call, which we probably can't make for you, if you are going to be picky about it. Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 Posted December 25, 2014 Author Share Posted December 25, 2014 You don't get perfect results and easy application out of the same jar. If you want easy, then Brownells OxphoBlue. Apply several coats. If you want really nice results at home and you are handy, then rust blue. That can be done with barrel in frame, you will probably need to blue frame if you do it that way. I'm not concerned too much with easy, I want it to last. The frame is CCH, and I want it to stay that way, but I don't want to take the barrel out of it. If none of the above, a lower end hot blue job would pay for itself on bringing gun back up in value some. I'm not worried about the value either, I just want it to not look like it's 45 years old. Best results only come from best metal preparation and polishing. That I can do. I look at it as - the gun was cheap, so you have more money to spend on the refinish. If the goal is a ratty gun, you got that already. If it is to be a pretty gun, hot blue with at least a factory level polish. In between - is the nuanced call, which we probably can't make for you, if you are going to be picky about it. I got the gun cheap because I'M cheap. Let's face it, if I'd wanted to spend the money, I could have got a brandey new Cimarron for less than twice what I paid for THIS one. And it's not exactly ratty, it's just old. AND I AM picky. Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted December 25, 2014 Share Posted December 25, 2014 You don't get perfect results and easy application out of the same jar. If you want easy, then Brownells OxphoBlue. Apply several coats. If you want really nice results at home and you are handy, then rust blue. That can be done with barrel in frame, you will probably need to blue frame if you do it that way. I'm not concerned too much with easy, I want it to last. The frame is CCH, and I want it to stay that way, but I don't want to take the barrel out of it. If none of the above, a lower end hot blue job would pay for itself on bringing gun back up in value some. I'm not worried about the value either, I just want it to not look like it's 45 years old. Best results only come from best metal preparation and polishing. That I can do. I look at it as - the gun was cheap, so you have more money to spend on the refinish. If the goal is a ratty gun, you got that already. If it is to be a pretty gun, hot blue with at least a factory level polish. In between - is the nuanced call, which we probably can't make for you, if you are going to be picky about it. I got the gun cheap because I'M cheap. Let's face it, if I'd wanted to spend the money, I could have got a brandey new Cimarron for less than twice what I paid for THIS one. And it's not exactly ratty, it's just old. AND I AM picky. Good luck, GJ Given this logic, there's no reasonable solution. Just the one in some bottle. :lol: Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Fill 'Em 67797 Posted December 25, 2014 Share Posted December 25, 2014 I like Birchwood Casey Perma Blue Paste, it's thick and clings to the surface. I have found if the parts are heated first they take the bluing better. I use a heat gun but a hair drier would also work.Here's some good reading: http://ktgunsmith.com/coldblue.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freight Hauler Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Has anyone any opinion on the Blue Wonder?....have tried 'bout everything else! Would be nice to find something that could at least LOOK like real blue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rio Brazos Kid Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I have seen the results with the Blue Wonder, or maybe it's Super Wonder Blue. It holds up well and looks very nice. As stated, it isn't exactly a Cold Blue, but only requires warming the metal a bit, not real hot. I think they recommend just warming with a propane torch, and then applying the blue. As with any bluing process, cleaning the metal is the most important thing. At any rate, the process is easy, and the results looks pretty nice. RBK EDIT Just looked it up. It's Blue Wonder. Comes in a kit. If just bluing 1 revolver, the 2 oz. kit would do it . Midway USA $18.95 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freight Hauler Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Thank You very much Kid, appreciate the info.....will now look for it!....maybe it will give me what I(we) been lookin' for...thank ya pard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackey Cole Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Brownells has a spray on bluing/black now that my dad has used and it looks to go on thick so it should last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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