Recent Feedback
wanting a formulae for hot gloss bluing steel,not blacking it.
Hot Process of BluingBluing steel is a process that protects steel from rust. There are two methods for bluing, hot and cold. In the hot process, the steel is saturated in boiling water mixed with potassium nitrate and sodium hydroxide. This submersion causes a chemical reaction that helps to prevent rusting on the steel. There are many other methods that involve hot or boiling liquid submersion, but each uses a different set of chemicals. One set includes nitrates and chromates. 2:1 sodium to nitrate ratio approximately, by weight. This process can put off differnt gasses and can be dangerous. If possible it s better do in an open setting and done with some one who has experience with mixing chenicals (find a local college science student). Thank You Tom
G'day Tom, I've been bluing firearms for many years using sodium hydroxide [ lye] to get the boiling point to 285 F & up to 300. I've used the following chemicals & varied the proportions. They all blacken steel, like modern rifles. Sodium Nitrate, Sodium Nitrite, Potasium Nitrate & Ammonium Nitrate. I can get the 19 th century blue-grey colour by carding between coats of acid etch but you loose the polished surface & is often streaky. I have seen a job done on a rifle, since the war that was hot dipped in the early blue-grey colour so someone must know the formulae. Alex
I have found serveral options on the net but am a little concerned about the safety. would you like the links to those sites? Tom
Yes please. I would like to have those links. The more knowledge the better.
Hello, see if these are of any help. Thanks Tomhttp://shootersolutions.com/instvig.htmlhttp://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=36054http://hurleyknives.com/bluing.htmlhttp://www.hobbygunsmith.com/Archives/Aug03/HowTo.htm
I'm chasing those up but its your Sat. night now so I'll get back to you on Monday Alex
Okay, thank You Tom
Tues. 29th, I contacted the people that you sugested by email where I could. No one has replied. Most American gunsmiths & dealers buy their blacking salst ready mixed. I know Brownells sell several brands from different manifactuers. My question would have to be answerd by a mettalurgical chemist I think. Alex
Hello, We don't have a science expert catagory. I thought a couple of the sites I sent you actually had receipes for the process. Tom
Thanks Tom, I'll try one of your other people.
Still no reply from a chemist or mettalurgist. It may be that I have to put the black oxide coating on first then dip it in another chemical
Friday 2nd here, still no answers to my question Alex
Friday 9th. Still no answer to my question. Don't you have any chemists or mettalurgists on your team?
10/15/09 Still no answer
My fax/phone No. is 011 61 8 82813053
10/23/09 Have you been able to get me an answer yet on bluing not blacking steel?
It seems to me that you can't answer the question so, if you refund the money we'llcall it quitts. Alex
I have a formula from Croacia & a guide from Italy but no answer from you people. Alex
10/12/09 Have you come across any mettalurgists yet? I'm still waiting for an answer to how to hot dip barrels to grey/blue, not black. Alex