Bluing Blackening Steel

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tornitore45
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Bluing Blackening Steel

Post by tornitore45 »

I do not mean the Cajun process of frying.

What is your preferred product?
Mauro Gaetano
in Austin TX
earlgo
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Re: Bluing Blackening Steel

Post by earlgo »

For small parts I prefer 44/40 instant gun blue available from Brownell's and other outlets. It is not a deep black like DuLite, but it works. I have rust blued firearms with Herter's Belgian Gun Blue but it takes considerable setup with boiling distilled water and considerable time. The stuff is horribly expensive (more than $40/qt) and only available from a very few sources. But it works, too. Brownell's Oxpho Blue is also an alternative for small to medium parts, but I never had much luck with it, probably from lack of experience.
For big parts you should hunt up an industrial blacking service. We here in NE Ohio have Cleveland Black Oxide to work with.
--earlgo
Before you do anything, you must do something else first. - Washington's principle.
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milwiron
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Re: Bluing Blackening Steel

Post by milwiron »

Birchwood Casey Super Blue, Birchwood Casey Presto Black and Caswell Plating's Black Oxide have all worked well for me. Super Blue is available in small bottles so you don't have to spend much to try it. Get the liquid, not the gel. I blacken all my small parts and scale hardware that don't lend themselves to painting or powder coating.
"Measure twice, curse once."
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tornitore45
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Re: Bluing Blackening Steel

Post by tornitore45 »

Thanks
Mauro Gaetano
in Austin TX
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carlquib
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Re: Bluing Blackening Steel

Post by carlquib »

I like the precision brand tool black. You can purchase it in kit form with cleaner, tool black and preserving oil. I've had good luck with it over the years.

-Brian


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Bill Shields
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Re: Bluing Blackening Steel

Post by Bill Shields »

Note that if you are applying the stuff by dipping...do not dip the cloth or q tip into the primary container. Pour from the container into something else and dip from there. If you do not use it all up...dispose of safely...do not put the remainder back into the original can.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
armscor 1
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Re: Bluing Blackening Steel

Post by armscor 1 »

I'm using G96, made in Paterson N.J, USA, simply
apply paste with brush and rinse with water, durable and wear resistant.
No rusting issues with a light coating of oil.
Very pleased with results.
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Steggy
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Re: Bluing Blackening Steel

Post by Steggy »

armscor 1 wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 8:47 pm I'm using G96, made in Paterson N.J, USA, simply
apply paste with brush and rinse with water, durable and wear resistant.
No rusting issues with a light coating of oil.
Very pleased with results.
A link to the actual product would be helpful. A search engine returns 1000s of results on "G96."
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armscor 1
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Re: Bluing Blackening Steel

Post by armscor 1 »

G 96 gun blue in Paterson NJ.
Just type that in, it will take you there.
They also sell gun lubricants.
armscor 1
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Re: Bluing Blackening Steel

Post by armscor 1 »

armscor 1
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Re: Bluing Blackening Steel

Post by armscor 1 »

Very popular in land down under.
JimGlass
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Re: Bluing Blackening Steel

Post by JimGlass »

This is the oldest topic in the book. Tool Black is ok but reuslts are not always perfect. The place I retired from always allowed me to use their black oxide tank. Nothing works like the hot black oxide. After I retired I had to find my own process. I have a heat treat furnace to heating steel. Heating to 500 degrees yeilds a really cool gold colored finish and always my trade mark for tempering tool steel. But heating to 600 degrees turns steel to a dark blue that is durable. Quench in the dirtyest used motor oil you can find helps turn steel black as will.
These days I place the steel on a kitchen hot plate and heat gradually to dark blue then quench in used motor oil.
Best blackening results are with ground or polished steel.
Tool & Die Maker/Electrician, Retired 2007

So much to learn and so little time.

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