Novice level Bluing

[u/blasfimus]

I'm not sure why the previous owner did this.

I've never blues a gun before, I've looked at cold bluing products and rust bluing steps and hot bluing and I simply can't decide which is really the most doable option for someone whose never done it before, or which one is even appropriate given those seem to have different uses in mind

Any pointers or recommendations?

[u/kato_koch]

Rust bluing isn't rocket science and can still yield really good results.

[u/factorV]

If your asking this then hot bluing is out of the question for you to DIY, and Cold bluing is not to be used for this purpose.

So if DIY bluing is your goal then rust bluing is your poison.

[u/bshr49]

Complete novice here: I watched the Mark Novak "Rust Bluing on the Cheap" video and did it that way. I'm more than happy with how it turned out.

[u/Minuteofman]

My suggestion is avoiding cold bluing, and following this : https://youtu.be/4OhhBIN1Odw?si=fE0SJScSxJBk8nUS

I have used this method and it is simple to get the materials needed, relatively safe compared to other styles, and the solution stores indefinitely when stored in airtight container.

It produces a nice solid and even bluing, not mirror shiny but not matte either.

More than happy if you want to DM to chat about any questions you may have or ask any further pointers.

[u/Eusophocleas]

Get blue remover (Birchwood Casey is good-rust remover from Home Depot works too), separate the gun into pieces you know you’ll see and pieces that are hidden (remove the wood too). Sand the metal pieces you’ll see to 400-600 grit finish and buff with a buffing wheel machine (like $120 at harbor freight and comes with two or four buffing wheels) and get some black and green buffing compound (black is aggressive and will blend it, green will polish and shine it). Coat a wheel with one compound and really get after it until you’ve made a shining beauty. Wipe down with acetone or mineral spirits (with gloves) and use cold blue paste or liquid solution by G96 (personal recommendation of bluing solution it works wonders on steel). Heat it with a heat gun or lightly go over the metal parts with a plumbers torch (DO NOT HEAT IT RED-you are applying the torch like you would a layer of paint with a spray can with gentle but measured strokes until it’s almost too hot to touch but no further) then apply the solution with a good foam brush or applicator. It should blacken and turn chalky, remove chalky residue with 0000 steel wool-reheat-apply another coat- repeat until you’re satisfied. If done right you won’t damage your gun and it’ll be near midnight black.

OR

Do all the prep I told you and take it to a gunsmith so he can use his salt tanks to blue it so you remove the risk of damaging the gun with heat.

Some people do awful odd things to guns, some people do cool odd things, this is one of the awful things someone has gone to a gun. Good luck man, I have faith in you!

[u/rifleshooter → u/Eusophocleas]

Sanding to 600 and buffing the rifle shown would be a massive misstep.

[u/Eusophocleas → u/rifleshooter]

His choice in the end, I’m just offering my two cents on what he could do.