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Bluing salts

4K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  John L. Hinnant 
#1 ·
Have any of you had a rifle that where the barrel is screwed into the reciever, in the "crack" between the two, had a white powdery almost damp substance "grow" out? I have to assume it is the salts that were in the bluing solution. Has anyone had this cause harm to a gun or it's finish?:eek: The rifle is a CZ 527 that is several years old, and it has occured several times. Thanks Kirk
 
#3 · (Edited)
Good Evening Kirk,

Evidently the barrel and receiver were blued after assemly, The basic chemical in the hot blue "salts" formula is sodium hydroxide (lye) The polished metal components are submerged in the boiling (285 -295 F) caustic bluing solution for at least 30 minutes, usually longer. This gives the solution plenty of time to penetrate into the barrel and receiver threads.

After a suitable "soak" time, the blued parts are removed from the hot bluing solution and neutralized by being submerged again in a gentling boiling neutralizing solution, Sometimes it is only water. A commonly used solution is water soluable oil mixed with water. Water soluable oil and water are extremely difficult, if not impossible to make "flash" and therefore, quite safe to use.

After 30 minutes or so the neutralizing solution wil generally wash out all traces of the bluing solution trapped in places like the barrel/receiver threads. It would appear that your barrel/receiver assembly did not get enough soak time in the neutralizing solution.

The caustic based chemicals have a high affinity for atmospheric moisture and are leaching out of your b/a, seeking moisture. Remove your b/a from the stock before the chemical residue attacks the stock in that area.

If you have the knowledge and skill, strip the receiver of all parts and boil the receiver and first inch or so of the barrel in plain water . DO NOT boil the b/r for more than a minute and a half. Remove the b/r and spray it with with WD40 or a similar product. DO NOT FORGET THE BORE!!!!

Repeat these steps 5 or 6 times then set the b/r (coated inside and outside with a good rust preventive grease or oil) in a dry place for a day or two, checking to see if the caustic residue re-appears. If the residue does re-appear, repeat the boiling process again. The trapped, dry chemical will eventually be washed out.

When finished, use a good penetrated oil (I prefer Kroil) to soak into the barrel and receiver threads.

Best regards and good shooting,

John L. Hinnant

God and Texas
 
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