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Ammonium nitrate bluing





Year ago I blued guns with a solution of water, Ammonium nitrate and lye. I still have a number of these guns after 30 year and the finish is still good. I now want to blue a number of guns, but I have forgotten the formula. I am aware of the dangers of using this type of hot bath and am equipped to handle these problems. Could you please provide me with the formula utilizing Ammonium nitrate or possibly Sodium Nitrate [affil links].

Donald E. Crafton
Crafton Repair - Espanola, NM
2002



November 30, 2008

5 pounds lye
2 1/2 pounds ammonium nitrate
per gallon of water

working temperature 285-295 degrees, soak 15-40 minutes depending on the hardness of the steel.
Unbelievably durable black finish that can take a wire brush test without damage.
Have lots of ventilation when adding the ammonium nitrate as there are a lot of ammonia [on eBay or Amazon] fumes.
Will eat solder or lead.
Similar to what was used by the Germans on WWI weapons.

Robert Kraft
- Lusk, WY, USA



December 1, 2008

Thank you, Robert. Readers should note that the internet is a gigantic one-room schoolhouse, and it is not even remotely safe for the average untrained reader to consider hot blackening. This is for trained personnel with specialized facilities and proper personal protection equipment.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, finishing.com
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey




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