For cold bluing, there are a few steps that you need to follow:
- Remove the old bluing, if required
- Polish the gun metal properly.
- Clean a gun metal and then heat the metal gently.
- Apply effectively the bluing solution.
- Apply the solution several more times until you have the level of bluing you desire.
- Season the finish with gun oil once you have the level of bluing you expect.
How do you fix blued gun metal?
Consider how much of the old bluing has worn away. 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. Consider the age of the gun.
How to clean gun parts before bluing?
After cold water rinsing, put the gun parts in boiling water. It’ll boil any remaining bluing solution leftover. Simple parts need to be soaked for 15 to 20 minutes, while complex or decorated parts should be soaked for about 45 minutes. Soak the treated gun parts in a bath. It’ll protect the finish from sweat, body oil, and of course rust.
What are the different methods of gun bluing?
There are several techniques to apply blue on the gun but the common ones are hot bluing, cold bluing, and remove rust gun bluing. Cold bluing and hot bluing is popular processes of bluing.
How do you use gun oil to remove bluing?
Apply a layer of gun oil every few hours, using a cotton ball to remove the previous layer before applying a new layer. (In essence, you’re washing off the bluing solution with the gun oil instead of with water.) Do not use the cleaning oil for this process, as it will take off the bluing you worked so hard to put on.

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.
Does vinegar affect gun bluing?
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 is Gun blue made of?
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.
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.
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 polish cold blue?
The trick is to completely remove all the old bluing then highly polish, removing any pitting with a file then polish with 180 grit paper wet sand after till you get a mirror finish. Then insert a wooden dowel into barrel to use as a handle so you do not have to touch the metal.
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.
Can you clean rust off a gun with WD40?
Since WD-40 is primarily a solvent it seems to make sense that it would be ideal for cleaning guns. However, cleaning your guns with WD40 is NOT advisable. Solvents, such as WD40, don't remove any gunk or slime. Solvents dissolve gunk, which then moves the dissolved goo to another area of your gun that you cannot see.
What removes cold bluing?
Bill is right re white vinegar, but it will remove original blue too.
Do you blue the inside of a barrel?
You should know, when someone pisses you off, it takes forty-eight muscles to frown but only two to pull a trigger. You're not wrong. The barrels are blued on the inside too.
What does Reblued mean?
(transitive) To renew the bluing or rustproof coating of. to reblue a rifle.
What do you paint a gun with?
Generally, speaking you can't go wrong with painting a gun with Krylon or anything from Rust-Oleum. Dupli-Color could work too as it's designed for car parts which need to withstand high heat and be resistant to oil and fluids.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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. Once completed, the oxidized surface is more rust-resistant than bare-steel alone and, as noted above, with careful metal preparation, the outcome can be spectacular.
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.
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.
What is bluing in guns?
Bluing or black oxidizing is a process of treating steel to create a thin protective shell around it. It works by turning rust, into black iron oxide.
How to get blued parts to look smooth?
Gently spread the solution to the part to be blued as evenly as possible, applying a clean applicator. Use the solution in a single pass to cover small surfaces, or in parts no larger than 4 to 5 inches when covering large areas, then smooth it out using sandpaper. It’ll prevent the bluing from looking “messy.”
How long does caustic salt stay in bluing solution?
Allow the gun parts to stay in the bluing solution from 15 to 30 minutes.
What is blue black iron oxide?
It can be performed on gun barrels and other firearm components. There are several methods to blue gun barrels, such as hot bluing, cold bluing, rust bluing , niter bluing , charcoal bluing, and heat bluing. Gun refinishing is one of the most gratifying phases ...
What is hot bluing?
Hot Bluing. Hot gun bluing is the most common bluing technique offered by most firearm manufacturers. It’s a very durable finish applied on a variety of steels. The main benefit of the hot bluing method is gun protection from corrosion. This method extends the life of a gun and restores it.
How to remove rust from a gun?
Step #1 Disassembling and Polishing. Use steel wool to remove any scarring, loose rust, or pitting from the arm metal. Take the gun all the way apart. Anything you don’t apart will get salt molten in it, and it may be substantially more challenging to disassemble after bluing steel.
How to prevent rust on gun parts?
Apply the oil on gun treated gun parts. The oil prevents the formation of rust and protects the metal finish from sweat, body oil, wear, and dirt. Once you’ve spread the oil, leave the parts to stand overnight before assembling.
What is bluing a gun?
Bluing is a process by which you can imply a layer of protection on any steel especially, to your gun. This will help you to run your gun for a longer time of period. Also, bluing will save your gun from rusting. By applying a chemical reaction, a layer of magnetite is formed on the steel and thereby this layer acts as a protection against rust.
How to remove gun bluing from finger?
This mixture works best as gun bluing remover. At first heat the finger up for 110-degree Celcius. Pour the vinegar in a glass bowl.
How long to boil a gun to blue?
In hot bluing, you have to use boil water to blue. You have to boil your gun in water for 20-25 minutes with a bluing solution. This will make a layer on the gun. And if you ask about the cold bluing, you need to apply the blue solution directly. That’s the difference between the hot and cold bluing.
What is the best way to remove rust from a gun?
By applying a chemical reaction, a layer of magnetite is formed on the steel and thereby this layer acts as a protection against rust. There are several techniques to apply blue on the gun but the common ones are hot bluing, cold bluing, and remove rust gun bluing. Cold bluing and hot bluing is popular processes of bluing.
How to blue a gun?
For that reason, people prefer to apply these two methods in their homes. In hot bluing, you have to use boil water to blue. You have to boil your gun in water for 20-25 minutes with a bluing solution.
How to disassemble a gun?
Disassemble your gun. At first, you have to separate all the parts of your gun. Obviously, before moving you have to remove the magazine from your gun. Examine the chamber properly. When you will be sure that the gun is unloaded, remove the recoil spring from your gun along with the barrel bushing.
Can you use acetone to clean a gun?
You will find in the market some cleaner blaster. You can use them to clean initially. Normally, this type of cleaner contains sodium triphosphate. Then you can use acetone to clean every part of your gun. Acetone will clear all types of dust, oil, and grease.
