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11/29/2010 6:03:34 AM EDT
Has anyone used OXPHO cold bluing solution from Brownells?

If so, how durable is it?  Is it more a "blued" finish or an oxide type finish?

I intend to sandblast all barrel jewelry (and everything else) for installation on a virgin white barrel.  

I'm wondering if it would be better to blue before or after assembly.

Thanks for any help or opinions on this.
11/29/2010 6:57:38 AM EDT
[#1]
Oxpho is good, but much more of a PITA than 44/40 or Mark Lee's blue & boil formula from Midway.  Mark Lee's stuff, you degrease, heat the part to +/-125*, wipe on the solution, then boil the parts in water for 15 minutes, then wipe off the residue.  It provides the deep black finish like you see on older Smiths & Rugers.

44/40 I've had excellent luck with, as long as I neutralized the solution with TCE immediately after I had the color I wanted.
11/29/2010 11:59:50 AM EDT
[#2]
PITA?  How so?  I read the instructions for the 44/40 and the Mark Lee solutions.  While all three have some subtle differences in application technique, there is not a whole lot of difference .  Heat or no heat.  Rinse or no rinse.

I appreciate your recommendations for these products, but your answer does not really address the ones I had about OXPHO-BLUE.

Anyone else have experience with O-B?
11/30/2010 5:08:22 AM EDT
[#3]
My experience may be different than others, having said that:

Oxpho required more applications, more polishing, and never attained the black of the others, more a very modest cobalt blue.  If that is what you're after...

Generally, bluing is better done before assembly, when you have the option.
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