Thread: Bluing stainless

Just out of interest, there is a supply house for such chemicals in WI and the composition of their low and high temperature bluing solutions for stainless can be found listed in the MSDS for each. Here are links to their web pages on the two products:
https://www.epi.com/black-oxide/stai...a-blak-ss-370/
https://www.epi.com/black-oxide/stai...ltra-blak-407/
The high-temperature black appears to be a concentrated hydroxide solution similar to that used for bluing non-stainless steel rifle parts, and runs a similar risk of steam explosions and caustic burns for the unwary. It looks like the similarities extend to the necessity of running acid and rinsing baths to prepare the metal surfaces. I'd be inclined to try the low-temp mix first, though seldom with these things are the low temperature results comparable.