Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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HOT OR COLD BLUING METHOD

 

I AM IN THE PROCESS OF BLUING SOME OUL HAND GUNS AND NEED TO FIND OUT THE BEST BLUING METHOD. WHICH IS BETTER, THE HOT BLUE OR COLD BLUE METHOD AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED OFR BOTH.

MANY THANKS,

DAVID LURER
- CAPE CORAL, FL, U.S.A.

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You may want to look in google groups rec.guns an append with the title: Anyone tried this homemade hot bluing formula?

The hot bluing with ammonium nitrate and lye are described there. I will experiment with it one of this days.

To the forum moderator: Not wishing to go against the rules I have not posted the web address of the append I mentioned above. Why is this so?

"Don't include phone/fax/e-mail/website addresses in this text block."

Thank you very much for your patience.

Aquiles Rubina
- Lima, Peru
 

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You will probably not be happy with a cold blue. It will not hold up very well and is a lot of work to obtain a good finish. I use a commercial caustic soda solution at 300 deg. to hot blue. If you only have a few guns to do, you will be ahead to find a gunsmith in your area to do the bluing. You would need tanks, heat source, safety equipment(most important), rinsing tanks, etc. As was suggested, a search of "gunsmithing supplies" on the net would turn up sources for bluing salts, equipment, and most needed, instructions.

Good luck,

Ed Kay
- St. Louis, Missouri, USA
 

Hi David, hot bluing is the most simplest method to blue your gun.here is how you do...1.clean and remove all pits and rust using emery sheet 400,followed by emery 800. 2.if possible buffing can save lot of time and energy. 3.make sure you have no finger prints or dust. 4.use a news paper to hold the parts and wipe clean. 5.mix 1kg of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda [affil links] ) with 1/4 kg Sodium Nitrate [affil links] and add 1/4 liter of water. 6.heat the above mixture to about 140 degrees, 7.dip the parts in the mixture for about 10 minutes . 8.leave the parts in the mixture till the temperature comes down to 80degrees. 9.take it out of the mixture clean immerse in hot water,this will remove the chemicals stuck to the metal. 10.apply oil. first try this with a small parts ,good luck. jk .

Dr.N.Jayakumar
general surgeon - India
2007