cold bluing - The Firearms Forum

topper · 09-26-2009, 08:42 AM

I am having a hard time finding cold gun bluing paste/liquid in the stores. what happened to it? I was a wal-mart yesterday and could not find it and the sales clerk said they did not have it anymore. what????? Is this something else the government does not want me to have or is 'unsafe' or is it just in short supply? i have a very small amount of liquid birchwood casey, but not enough to reblue my old .22 remington. BTW, would Mrs. Stewarts liquid laundry bluing work? It seems to be colorfast, but i can't find any information on wheather it would be ok for gun barrel bluing. any ideas? thanks

Alpo · 09-26-2009, 09:10 AM

No.

From Mrs. Stewarts website.

>Bluing is a fabric whitener. When fabric is manufactured, it begins as a grayish product - correctly called "gray goods". These "gray goods" go through a rigorous process of chemical bleaching, cleaning and finally bluing to make them appear sparkling white in color. As the fabric experiences repeated washings and age, the bluing escapes and the gray or yellowish color returns. Mrs. Stewart's Bluing provides an opportunity for the consumer to add the bluing back in, thus restoring the just-new white appearance. Mrs. Stewart's Bluing is biodegradable, nontoxic and environmentally friendly. Always follow the instructions for using Mrs. Stewart's Bluing. It is important not to use too much bluing. If you do, follow the instructions for removal of excess bluing.<

Cold bluing is, basically, copper sulfate mixed with a mild acid. You degrease the metal, and rub on the bluing. The copper sticks to the steel and the acid turns the copper black. Continue adding coats until the blued area is the color you are looking for. Wash with water, which removes the acid and stops the copper's color change, then coat with oil to protect.

Slowrid-Der · 09-26-2009, 10:47 AM

Here is the bluing supplies from MidWayUSA. I shop there a lot.

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Brow...649***10400***

TRAP55 · 09-26-2009, 10:57 AM

Topper, for a complete re-blue I would use Blue Wonder http://www.bluewonder.us/
For touch ups you can't beat Oxpho-Blu
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1...XPHO_BLUE_reg_

Bill DeShivs · 09-26-2009, 01:24 PM

Cold bluing is not recommended for refinishing complete guns. It should be used for touch ups only.

dianalv · 09-28-2009, 09:54 AM

I recommend not going there. It's hard to match touch ups, and it's not durable for redoing whole guns. It's not that expensive to send out your gun for a complete hot reblueing to a qualified gun smith. Damn cheap, in fact, considering, and a lot less work and stress than trying to do it yourself and match it up. Much better results.

fprefect · 09-28-2009, 02:56 PM

I haven't looked for any recently but I suspect it's still around. From personal experience, I would not recommend using it on a rifle or shotgun that is of any value. Have it done right.

However, as a cheap alternative to a gun not worth the cost of a hot blue, it will prevent rust and will more than likely improve the appearance of the gun considerably. But if it's a gun you use and handle a lot, be prepared to do it again within a year or so.

F. Prefect

Bill DeShivs · 09-28-2009, 06:41 PM

Cold bluing offers VERY little protection against rust.
If you are going to have a gun refinished, consider having an improved finish like plating or nitriding applied. It cost very little more than rebluing, and prevents rust.

gdmoody · 09-29-2009, 12:12 AM

This is what I use for touch ups. Really works great, from Brownells also. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1..._40_reg__CREME I wouldn't try to do a whole gun with it.

langenc · 10-23-2009, 03:28 PM

Get some Oxpho from Brownells--the PASTE type. Best going.

09-26-2009, 08:42 AM	#1
topper Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: deep in the woods Posts: 748	cold bluing I am having a hard time finding cold gun bluing paste/liquid in the stores. what happened to it? I was a wal-mart yesterday and could not find it and the sales clerk said they did not have it anymore. what????? Is this something else the government does not want me to have or is 'unsafe' or is it just in short supply? i have a very small amount of liquid birchwood casey, but not enough to reblue my old .22 remington. BTW, would Mrs. Stewarts liquid laundry bluing work? It seems to be colorfast, but i can't find any information on wheather it would be ok for gun barrel bluing. any ideas? thanks -->

09-26-2009, 09:10 AM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: cold bluing No. From Mrs. Stewarts website. >Bluing is a fabric whitener. When fabric is manufactured, it begins as a grayish product - correctly called "gray goods". These "gray goods" go through a rigorous process of chemical bleaching, cleaning and finally bluing to make them appear sparkling white in color. As the fabric experiences repeated washings and age, the bluing escapes and the gray or yellowish color returns. Mrs. Stewart's Bluing provides an opportunity for the consumer to add the bluing back in, thus restoring the just-new white appearance. Mrs. Stewart's Bluing is biodegradable, nontoxic and environmentally friendly. Always follow the instructions for using Mrs. Stewart's Bluing. It is important not to use too much bluing. If you do, follow the instructions for removal of excess bluing.< Cold bluing is, basically, copper sulfate mixed with a mild acid. You degrease the metal, and rub on the bluing. The copper sticks to the steel and the acid turns the copper black. Continue adding coats until the blued area is the color you are looking for. Wash with water, which removes the acid and stops the copper's color change, then coat with oil to protect. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

09-26-2009, 10:47 AM	#3
Slowrid-Der Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 48	Re: cold bluing Here is the bluing supplies from MidWayUSA. I shop there a lot. http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Brow...649*10400*

09-26-2009, 10:57 AM	#4
TRAP55 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Occupied Territory Of Kalifornia Posts: 1,834	Re: cold bluing Topper, for a complete re-blue I would use Blue Wonder http://www.bluewonder.us/ For touch ups you can't beat Oxpho-Blu http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1...XPHO_BLUE_reg_ __________________ Aim small...Miss small www.mausercentral.com/forum

09-26-2009, 01:24 PM	#5
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,478	Re: cold bluing Cold bluing is not recommended for refinishing complete guns. It should be used for touch ups only. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

09-28-2009, 09:54 AM	#6
dianalv Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 1,160	Re: cold bluing I recommend not going there. It's hard to match touch ups, and it's not durable for redoing whole guns. It's not that expensive to send out your gun for a complete hot reblueing to a qualified gun smith. Damn cheap, in fact, considering, and a lot less work and stress than trying to do it yourself and match it up. Much better results.

09-28-2009, 02:56 PM	#7
fprefect V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Branson, MO Posts: 63	Re: cold bluing I haven't looked for any recently but I suspect it's still around. From personal experience, I would not recommend using it on a rifle or shotgun that is of any value. Have it done right. However, as a cheap alternative to a gun not worth the cost of a hot blue, it will prevent rust and will more than likely improve the appearance of the gun considerably. But if it's a gun you use and handle a lot, be prepared to do it again within a year or so. F. Prefect Last edited by fprefect; 09-28-2009 at 02:57 PM..

09-28-2009, 06:41 PM	#8
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,478	Re: cold bluing Cold bluing offers VERY little protection against rust. If you are going to have a gun refinished, consider having an improved finish like plating or nitriding applied. It cost very little more than rebluing, and prevents rust. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

09-29-2009, 12:12 AM	#9
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,409	Re: cold bluing This is what I use for touch ups. Really works great, from Brownells also. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1..._40_reg__CREME I wouldn't try to do a whole gun with it. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

10-23-2009, 03:28 PM	#10
langenc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 428	Re: cold bluing Get some Oxpho from Brownells--the PASTE type. Best going.