AK Sponsor
Posted: 6/17/2009 4:45:45 PM EDT
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I was thinking of improving the blue finish on my WASR10.
I'm looking to do it on the cheap considering I spend about $375 on the rifle. Is this an appropriate method? http://www.surplusrifle.com/carbinenagant/reblue/index.asp Does anyone recommend anything better? Would anyone warn against this method? |
For me I glass beaded my whole rifle, at the same time, you can do yourself with a cheap harbor freight blaster, just makes a mess. I then applied blue with a brush, did only 1 coat for my application. This will take the finish off and give it an even texture, you could also sand by hand but the you get sanding marks and wont clean out all the nooks and crannies media blasting does. I went for the used look.
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Cold blues just aren't very good for bluing large areas.
These are really intended to touch up small scratches and worn spots. When attempting larger areas, you often wind up with a thin, smoky-gray, streaked look. In addition, cold blues are not durable at all, and can be literally wiped off with your thumb, turn brown over time, and can actually cause rust. Some people do have better luck with them, but still, durability is still an issue. A probably better option for a home refinish is to use one of the "paint type" finishes like Lauer Duracoat or Brownell's Alum-Hyde II. Both of these are tough, durable epoxy coatings that are used by many AK builders. These are fairly easy to apply, air cure to a very hard, tough finish, and wear very well. You can get them in a variety of colors, and these make an AK look very good. |
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Quoted:
Cold blues just aren't very good for bluing large areas. These are really intended to touch up small scratches and worn spots. When attempting larger areas, you often wind up with a thin, smoky-gray, streaked look. In addition, cold blues are not durable at all, and can be literally wiped off with your thumb, turn brown over time, and can actually cause rust. Some people do have better luck with them, but still, durability is still an issue. A probably better option for a home refinish is to use one of the "paint type" finishes like Lauer Duracoat or Brownell's Alum-Hyde II. Both of these are tough, durable epoxy coatings that are used by many AK builders. These are fairly easy to apply, air cure to a very hard, tough finish, and wear very well. You can get them in a variety of colors, and these make an AK look very good. thats exactly how mine looks, but I wanted that look. didnt try to make it super dark and have no idea if it would, but its a cheap and quick way to put on a finish |
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http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/products/p_083002012_1.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff93/stratocaster81/ak800-0607091.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff93/stratocaster81/ak1024-0607092.jpg Your background for the photo is scary looking, like something in one of those saw movies |
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http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/products/p_083002012_1.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff93/stratocaster81/ak800-0607091.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff93/stratocaster81/ak1024-0607092.jpg Your background for the photo is scary looking, like something in one of those saw movies LOL, my wife said the same thing. We're both big fans of the Saw franchise. That's my dead hooker storage bunker basement. I'm lucky it's even poured concrete, the house is almost 90 years old. |
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Quoted:
For me I glass beaded my whole rifle, at the same time, you can do yourself with a cheap harbor freight blaster, just makes a mess. I then applied blue with a brush, did only 1 coat for my application. This will take the finish off and give it an even texture, you could also sand by hand but the you get sanding marks and wont clean out all the nooks and crannies media blasting does. I went for the used look. http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o56/mikegigabyte/AK%2047/Ak%2047/IMG_0069.jpg http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o56/mikegigabyte/AK%2047/Ak%2047/IMG_0071.jpg Are those screws holding your rifle together? |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
For me I glass beaded my whole rifle, at the same time, you can do yourself with a cheap harbor freight blaster, just makes a mess. I then applied blue with a brush, did only 1 coat for my application. This will take the finish off and give it an even texture, you could also sand by hand but the you get sanding marks and wont clean out all the nooks and crannies media blasting does. I went for the used look. http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o56/mikegigabyte/AK%2047/Ak%2047/IMG_0069.jpg http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o56/mikegigabyte/AK%2047/Ak%2047/IMG_0071.jpg Are those screws holding your rifle together? Yes |
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Niter Blue
The blueing part is about half way down. I done the mag well, rear sight block, and butt plate of a beat up 91/30 a couple years back. The longer you leave it in there, the darker it gets. I have had no issues with it. When I pulled it out of the salts, I immediately put it in used motor oil. Not the best picture, but its all I have. I might just have to get them out tomorrow for another photo shoot. 
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