chance

For this second and complete redo job I used the homemade salt recipe of Sodium Hydroxide and Sodium Nitrate (lye and fertilizer). Using the sodium nitrate rather than the amonium nitrate is much safer as there is no amonia gas release during the mixing process, but I still wore a respirator. Fortunately the outside temps cooled down into the 80's so wearing long pants wasn't a major problem, just kinda uncomfortable.

The project gun was a New Model Single Six beater I bought a couple of years ago and had used cold blue on. The cold blue didn't last at all and since this gun gets a lot of use I decided it was a prime candidate for the first project.

Pictured below are the highlights of the reblue. These are not directions. Bluing is a job that requires close attention to detail and can be dangerous due to the temps and materials used.

First off the gun must be prepped, stripped of original bluing and sanded to remove blemishes then completely degreased. I went to 600 wet/dry using 3 in 1 oil. After degreasing with Simple Green I only handled the parts with rubber gloves





The bluing salts are heated to 255-275 degrees and the parts put in for about 30 minutes




Parts may be covered with soot when they come out of the tank. Scary at first, but it wipes right off with rag and/or tooth brush, no sweat


After washing thoroughly with hot soapy water I let the parts sit in a pan of motor oil overnight, cleaned them, wiped em down and put everything back together. Very happy with the results.



While the actual bluing is very easy the prep is what determines the final look of the gun, and takes the time. The finer the grade of paper used the deeper the bluing will turn out.

This was a fun project and since the salts are all mixed and ready it's just a matter of heatng them back up to temp to do another project. I think I prefer the salts to the niter bluing. If nothing else I am much more comfortable with the 275 degree operating temps rather than 600.

It's so easy even a Bounty Hunter can do it

sheepdog

...wow!!! at one point, it looked like stainless..that gun was clean!!!

Johngoboom

That is a GREAT job!!!!!

I'm going to try that this spring when the weather turns nice again. Where did you get your chem supplies through?

Wow, I still can't believe how nice that turned out for a home blue job. How long did the prep work take you on that one?

I have a old Mark 1 that is begging for a blue job to be done to it.

tx gun runner

Nice work and super looking too . Remember a fine mist or drop of bluing in your eyes you are blind ... There is NO washing or rinsing that will save your eyes . Goggle only or face shield ....

Bountyhunter

That came out great, Chance! Looks freakin new now.

b.roberts

That is great. Nice job!

XLCH

Supper nice job you have done on that single six.

chance

Thanks for the kind words guys. It was a lot of fun and much easier than I had thought.

Bountyhunter

My biggest problem owuld have been putting the gun back together. I haven't pulled one apart in so long I don't know if I could still.

sheepdog

...notice...no encouragement from this sector...I ain't no gunsmith, too!!!

Snuffy

Great job.

Cast&Blast

Wow. That's really impressive. GREAT job! (and very funny at the end! )