Best Cold Blue

[Seamus McGillicuddy]

I need to replace a front sight on an old military rifle and the new sight comes without bluing. Can anyone recommend a good cold bluing product that’s easy to use and will last a reasonably long time?  Thanks for any help.

 

Seamus

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

This:   https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/metal-bluing/liquid-cold-bluing-chemicals/perma-blue-prod24776.aspx

 

[Seamus McGillicuddy]

Thanks, Hardpan. That product is consistent with what I have read elsewhere and looks like it’s pretty easy to use.

 

Seamus

[Utah Bob #35998]

Yup. I like the cream in a tube as well. The key is to make sure the metal id properly de-greased.

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

I use it on a lot of my smaller blacksmithing projects (and then coat with beeswax).

 

So, rummaging about the safe one afternoon, I came across an old Belgian-made 1860 Colt replica (Centennial, I believe) that I'd picked up for cheap years ago.  A previous owner had treated it poorly; I'd point to it and say it looked like someone tossed a used, wet diaper on it and let it lie there for an afternoon.  In other words, it was terrible.

 

So, on a whim, I took it apart, judiciously used increasingly finer grits of sandpaper and steel wool on it, then applied the Birchwood Casey.  Multiple applications, with 0000 steel wool between, and it looks perfectly fine!  A good match for an identical revolver I bought new in '71.  Actually fresher looking!  

[Sixgun Sheridan]

I prefer the Super Blue from Birchwood Casey. I've tried the expensive boutique blues from Brownells but none seem to last as long.

 

I used to really like the cold blue pens from BC, but for some odd reason they discontinued them.

[J. Mark Flint #31954 LIFE]

have a gunsmith hot blue it.  Should cost next to nothig as they can do so without much effort during a reblue of another gun

 

[Sixgun Sheridan]

1 hour ago, J. Mark Flint #31954 LIFE said:

have a gunsmith hot blue it.  Should cost next to nothig as they can do so without much effort during a reblue of another gun

 

Unfortunately fewer and fewer gunsmiths even offer bluing unless it's farmed out. EPA regs have put the kibosh on small one-man shops doing it for the most part.

[Pat Riot]

Acetone is a good degreaser / cleaner for cold bluing. 
 

2 hours ago, Sixgun Sheridan said:

 

I used to really like the cold blue pens from BC, but for some odd reason they discontinued them.

I think they changed the name of them. 
 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1006361137/

 

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/birchwood-casey®-presto®-gun-blue-pen

 

 

[J. Mark Flint #31954 LIFE]

Here in Middle Tennessee, we still have plenty of gunsmiths bluing guns.

 

You can also "Express Rust blue" parts by browning them with your favorite browning formula and boiling it afterwards.  Takes a few coats but looks wonderfully deep and dark

[bgavin]

There is a review published that covers the major cold blue products.
I am out of state and away from my workstation, so cannot give you the url.

There is a small brand that tested out slightly superior to the B-C brand shown above.
IIRC, and I have an awful memory, but B-C was a close #2

[Brazos Bo]

Check out Brownell's "Oxpho Blue".

will blue even with gun oil on the metal. Pretty good product as far as cold blue products go.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

33 minutes ago, Brazos Bo said:

Check out Brownell's "Oxpho Blue".

THIS x10!

OLG 

[Eyesa Horg]

37 minutes ago, Brazos Bo said:

Check out Brownell's "Oxpho Blue".

will blue even with gun oil on the metal. Pretty good product as far as cold blue products go.

I concur also, when I could've just agreed.

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

The best I've found is called "Van's". The key is to get the surface warm to the touch before applying. 

I used it on an old Uberti Intercontinental Arms that looked like it had been thrown into a sand dune and it came out looking pretty good.

[Nasty Newt # 7365]

9 hours ago, Sixgun Sheridan said:

I prefer the Super Blue from Birchwood Casey. I've tried the expensive boutique blues from Brownells but none seem to last as long.

 

I used to really like the cold blue pens from BC, but for some odd reason they discontinued them.

I recently put together a CVA pistol kit I'd had for years.  The steel was in the white.  I couldn't believe how well Super Blue worked.  It looks great.