
- Remove the old bluing, if desired. Depending on how worn the original bluing is, you may wish to remove it entirely before re-bluing the gun.
- Polish the gun metal. Polishing removes surface rust and any scratches or pitting that the gun may have suffered over the years.
- Clean the gun metal. How you choose to clean the metal depends on whether you plan to blue the entire gun or touch up existing bluing.
- Heat the metal gently. Although this process is called cold bluing, gently heating the gun metal before applying the bluing can help it absorb the bluing better and create ...
- Apply the bluing solution. Slowly apply the solution to the area to be blued as evenly as possible, using a clean applicator.
- Apply the solution several more times until you have the level of bluing you want. ...
- Season the finish with gun oil once you have the level of bluing you want. ...
How much does it cost to Reblue a gun.?
How much does it cost to Reblue a shotgun? Matte, Custom Satin & Standard Finish Hot Blue. $395-500. Deluxe Finish Hot Blue. $495-600. Master Finish Hot Blue.
How to Reblue a gun at home?
Part 2 of 4: Cold Bluing
- Remove the old bluing, if desired. Depending on how worn the original bluing is, you may wish to remove it entirely before re-bluing the gun.
- Polish the gun metal. Polishing removes surface rust and any scratches or pitting that the gun may have suffered over the years.
- Clean the gun metal. ...
- Heat the metal gently. ...
- Apply the bluing solution. ...
What is the best gun bluing?
- Super blue gun blue for bluing highly polished steel parts and hardened steels containing nickel and chrome alloys (except stainless) - super blue is the blackest blue!.
- Comes with 5 free cotton swabs.
- 100% money back or replacement warranty- we place value on every customers experience.
How to blue a shotgun at home?
Two Ways to Blue a Gun at Home
- Cold Blue On Top of Brown. A friend of mine pointed me to this first video, saying he’s going to try it on an old Winchester 250 lever-action 22 rifle.
- Stovetop Stump-Killer Niter Blue. This method is interesting — and far from cold. This method uses potassium nitrate, a.k.a. ...
- Opinions, Please. I might have to try these methods. What do you think? ...

Can gun bluing be repaired?
Repairing the bluing on a gun barrel protects the metal from rust and scratching, and helps reduce glare when shooting. There are two types of oxidation processes for bluing a gun. The "hot" process uses nitre bluing salts and requires liquid heated to 650 degrees to activate the salts.
Can you touch up gun bluing?
3:209:24Easy and Fast bluing touch up: Presto Gun Blue Pen - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEnough. Pull it a little bit more let it rest let it dry out do its thing. Then do a little bit moreMoreEnough. Pull it a little bit more let it rest let it dry out do its thing. Then do a little bit more of it. More layers and more you do this usually the the darker richer finish.
Can you put new bluing over old bluing?
If bluing is just worn and there is no apparent active red rust, Rustblue can be applied directly over it and will blend the old with the new and render a uniform texture. It is not necessary to remove all existing blue.
Can you remove bluing from a gun barrel?
Pour enough white vinegar to completely cover all of your gun parts. The parts will begin to turn orange after approximately 15 minutes. Don't worry, the rust appearing is only from oxidation of the metals in the bluing. Remove the parts from the vinegar every 20 to 25 minutes and wipe down the oxidation.
What does bluing liquid do to metal?
Bluing also helps to maintain the metal finish by resisting superficial scratching, and also helps to reduce glare to the eyes of the shooter when looking down the barrel of the gun. All blued parts still require oiling to prevent rust.
What is a bluing pen?
Presto Gun Blue Pen-The Presto Gun Blue Pen quickly and easily penetrates hard steel and gives a durable blue-black finish that won't rub off. use like a marking pen for one-coat coverage on non-stainless steels. Store the pens with the tip down to ensure the fluid does not collect in the bottom.
Is cold bluing as good as hot bluing?
0:082:43Smyth Busters: Is Cold Blue as Good as Hot Blue? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor you caleb what are we looking at today we are talking about cold blue specifically that coldMoreFor you caleb what are we looking at today we are talking about cold blue specifically that cold blue is just as good as hot blue in terms of durability.
Can you clean a gun with vinegar?
1. White vinegar/hydrogen peroxide cleaning solvent. When lead and other metal buildup becomes an issue, mixing up a 50-50 concoction of both white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide will cut right through. Soaking overnight will cause the metal to flake off.
What is rust bluing solution?
The Theory. Essentially, rust bluing uses an acid solution to rust the steel in a controlled environment. Boiling the rust converts the red oxide to black oxide which constitutes the metal finish. The excess rust is removed and the process is repeated until the desired finish is required.
How do you get rid of exhaust bluing?
0:362:32Exhaust Bluing Remover Kit by Wizards - available at J&P CyclesYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo doesn't take a whole lot just take your thumb dab. It over the top the key to this is to start inMoreSo doesn't take a whole lot just take your thumb dab. It over the top the key to this is to start in a small concentrated. Area you're going to want to start with a size about like a dime or a nickel.
Does steel wool remove bluing?
Fine bronze wool is preferred as it is softer than steel wool and less likely to scratch your bluing. But for this example, we will be using 0000 steel wool. This method is very similar to the first, but is better used for areas of thinner rust, like the stock line on this Marlin.
What chemicals are in gun bluing?
Hot blue solutions may contain mercury bichloride and an alkali salt mixture of sodium hydroxide and potassium nitrite or sodium nitrate. These compounds work together to eliminate red rust and reduce friction in firearms.
How to dip a gun barrel in bluing solution?
When dipping gun barrels in bluing solution, dip them at an angle to allow any air bubbles that may form to escape. Be sure to immerse the barrel completely. Swirl the metal basket containing smaller gun parts around in the solution to ensure the parts are completely coated with the bluing solution.
What to use to remove bluing from a gun?
You can use one of the following chemicals to do so: A phosphoric acid-based automotive rust remover, such as Naval Jelly. White vinegar, which contains acetic acid.
How to touch up a bluing gun?
If most of the original bluing is still in place, you may be able to touch up the bluing yourself with a cold bluing kit. If most of the original bluing has worn away, you may want to consider removing the rest of the old bluing and hot bluing the gun metal.
What temperature should bluing solution be heated to?
The hot bluing solution, known as “Traditional Caustic Black.” , must be heated to a temperature of from 275 to 311 degrees F (135 to 155 degrees C). Before heating the bluing solution, stir it thoroughly to break up any salt clumps that may occur on the surface or at the bottom of the tank holding the solution.
How long to leave a gun in bluing solution?
Leave the gun parts in the bluing solution from 15 to 30 minutes. Check to see when the metal has reached the desired shade of bluing and remove it from the solution at that time. If your gun has stainless steel parts, those parts are immersed in a different chemical solution, a mixture of nitrates and chromates.
How to get a better finish on a gun?
Although this process is called cold bluing, gently heating the gun metal before applying the bluing can help it absorb the bluing better and create a better finish. Heat the metal by leaving it out in the sun for several hours, with a heat gun or blow dryer, or in a conventional oven set to its lowest setting.
What is a bluing shell?
Bluing is a thin protective shell of black iron oxide (Fe 3 O 4) intended to provide nominal protection against rusting for gun metal. Over time, however, this shell can wear away and need to be renewed to restore the gun’s appearance. Depending on the gun’s age, monetary value, and sentimental value, you can either have ...
How is bluing done?
Instead, bluing is accomplished through a special mix of acids. Once applied, the parts are placed in a humid cabinet where the vapors can work their magic. Repeat exposures are required (sometimes over a period of a week or more). In between, dark velvet-like accumulations are “carded off” using fine steel wool.
What is the effect of steel on hammers?
Controlled exposure of steel to heat can result in a variety of attractive finishes from straw-coloring to the spectacular rainbow effect produced through case hardening. Beyond its beauty, the latter also creates a very hard wear-resistant surface; the reason it’s often seen on hammers.
What is hot blue?
Hot blue is a bluing process that is actually a form of controlled corrosion, produced through exposure to special “bluing salts.”. It works well on most carbon steel alloys, but not on stainless steel or aluminum.
What is a trigger guard for a Remington 870?
Bluing and Aluminum. Peruse a rack full of used guns and you’ll probably note a few with dinged trigger guards. For example, Remington’s hugely popular Model 870 pump shotgun employs a steel receiver but, like many other brands, its trigger guard is aluminum.
Can you remove light layer from a rifle?
A light layer can often be removed using WD-40 and judicious use of four-ought steel wool. Although this rifle was rescued before any pitting developed, several iffy spots required a more effective solution. The fix turned out to be lots of careful rubbing using nothing more than a penny!
Is gunsmithing drying up?
Nowadays, full-service gun shops are drying up. Skilled gunsmiths are harder to come by and some jobs – like stock refinishing and re-bluing – are labor intensive. Also, extremely durable alternative coatings have gained deserved popularity with the added advantage of color choices.
How to clean a blued gun?
First, you have to disassemble the firearm and set the blued pieces together. Use a brake cleaner or alcohol to remove oils and dirt from the blued parts. Put the gun parts on a dish and pour white vinegar so that they are immersed in it. After some time, these will turn orange due to the rust from oxidation.
How to clean a metal gun barrel?
First, soak your metal gun parts in a gun solvent. Then use a swabbing technique to cleanse the soaked parts. Use a clean rod with the contributory tip and the patch on a cleaning solvent. Apply the rod on the barrel to remove all kinds of impurities and then brush off any residue.
How to get rust off a gun barrel?
If you have rust on a gun barrel then you have to try other methods. The simplest way is to spray with a cleaning agent and rub the surfaces with a cleaning cloth. This works great for light rusting on the barrel without damaging the bluing. For heavy rust, separate the parts before the treatment.
How to keep bluing from rusting?
For safety, you can add extra bluing in case your gun needs scraping. It is also a good practice to apply light oil on the gun barrel to avoid rusting in the first place.
Why does my gun barrel rust?
Rust may happen because of recent rain, humidity, or sweat. This bluing protects the metal from oxidation causing the barrel to rust. You may try scraping to remove rust but this may also harm the bluing. Steel wool and gun oil can be used to remove rust with a clean cloth or rag along.
How to get rust off of steel wool?
Steel wool and gun oil can be used to remove rust with a clean cloth or rag along. You can apply gun oil to the areas of rust then rub the wool in a circular motion. Then wipe it off with a clean cloth gently. Other than this, you can also use penetrating oil along with tissue paper to remove rust.
How to remove rust from aluminum barrel?
Rust is removed by an unoxidized method using aluminum and vinegar. It is a great process than rubbing or scraping. The metal-oxygen bond is broken using a replacement chemical reaction since oxygen likes aluminum.
What is bluing in firearms?
When bluing was first invented, this was how firearms were blued. Basically, a chemical rusting agent is applied to the steel, time passes, and rust forms. The rust is “polished off”. The steel has changed color slightly in this process, and the process is repeated until the steel is the desired color.
What is bluing in chemistry?
Bluing is FeO3 or rust with an extra oxygen molecule. This conversion happens as part of the chemical reaction to the rusting agent in the boiling tank. I’m not a chemist by any means, so I’m sure there’s a lot more to it than that. But I think you can get the gist.
How hot should a propane torch be after a boil?
If you have parts with a bunch of nooks and crannies, you should heat the parts with a propane torch to 212 degrees after the final boil to ensure that all of the water is completely out. This is what the part will look like before you card it the first time. This is what it looks like after the first bluing cycle.
Can you use rust bluing on a gun?
Express Rust Bluing is a good way for a hobbyist to blue their firearms at home. It does not require a whole lot of equipment and isn’t very difficult to do. If you’re doing smaller parts, you can even use old pots or pans for tanks. One bottle of the solution will last you through a bunch of bluing sessions.
Is bluing a dangerous process?
When we refer to bluing, we typically think of the hot salt bluing that is usually done. This process requires a lot of equipment that takes up a lot of space, and the process itself can be somewhat hazardous. Obviously, this doesn’t easily lend itself to the hobbyist homebuilder or “kitchen table gunsmith”.
Can you plug a barrel when hot bluing?
Also, this may come as a surprise but you should NOT plug your barrel when doing any kind of hot bluing. The heat from boiling will cause the air trapped in the bore to blow out the plugs. Obviously, this is not agreeable with it submerged in a tank full of hot liquid! Common sense needs to apply here.
Is rust bluing faster than rust bluing?
Express Rust Bluing is faster than rust bluing because rather than allowing the chemical reaction to happen “naturally” the process is expedited by boiling the parts. So instead of having to wait for the parts to rust for a couple of days, you actually force them to form rust in a few minutes.
What is gun bluing?
Gun bluing is totally different. It is actually a "controled type of rusting procedure" that is very thin . I have no idea what an auto body scratch pen will do. Maybe someone could try it on an old cheap gun as an experiment but I would stick with bluing for your Marlin. Good luck.
What to do if Perma Blue is too light?
If the Perma Blue does too light, then you need the Super Blue. I find most things do best with the Super. Clean surface with rubbing alcohol first. Blue goes on with a cotton swab, wait a minute or two, and buff with a cloth. Two or three applications will make it a little darker if needed.