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Posted: 8/20/2010 5:32:17 PM EDT
| I have an old stevens single shot 16 gauge that I am bringing new life too...the blueing was all messed up...stripped it down w/ navel jelly, and decided to try perma blue...seems to have been my mistake...its taking it, slowly, after 3 coats following the directions to the T, but its splotchy...tathere are darker "drip, puddle" marks all over. some go away w/ some steel wool action...but many are still on there...should I keep going to get it darker, or strip it down w/ the navel jelly and get another blueing agent??? Where did I go wrong??? |
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Cold bluing can be a very frustrating venture, metal prep is the key. Whatever you want to blue has to be ABSOLUTELY clean, even if you think it's totally clean, clean it again. If possible the final wash should be in boiling water, or as close as possible, a dishwasher works great for this, as long as the parts will fit.
Ideally you should also "strike" the barrel and receiver, striking is sanding / filing the metal to remove any rust or pitting. If the metal to be blued does not have any pitting then there will not be a need to file it. I would start with 400 grit wet/dry paper, working in the direction of the bore. For a factory finish work up from 400 grit to 600 grit, if you want a super polished look keep going up in finer grit, as long as your patience will hold out. As far as Perma Blue goes, I don't think much of the stuff. I think you will have much better results with Art's Belgian Blue. Remember, clean,clean,clean and wear surgical gloves when handling after the final cleaning. |
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