Thread: Home rust bluing solutions?

Hey fellas,

I'm trying to restore an old mauser back to it's former glory, does anyone know where I can get rust blue solutions in NZ?

Or alternatively, how to make some homebrews?


Hope y'all enjoy a great Christmas and happy new years!

Cheers

I don't know of any commercial rust blueing solutions available in NZ but the book "Firearms Blueing and Browning" by R H Angier has a heap of recipes. Basically any solution that promotes rusting will work (a mild brine for example). The secret is to ensure the metal is completely degreased and is not touched with your bare hands at any stage of the operation. Use cotton gloves and steel wool for the carding process why dry after boiling in clean water. Older mild steels may only need one or two passes but modern alloy steels will need more.

I guess you plug the bore when doing this blueing stuff?

Originally Posted by Finnwolf

I guess you plug the bore when doing this blueing stuff?

No as Minns2 said, the reason being that the plugs can blow out during boiling up which can cause serious burns. It is important that the bore is thoroughly cleaned and lightly oiled after the job is done to prevent after-rusting.

I’ll second Terry’s work as he restored an old family shotgun... the rust blueing was faultless!

He also did a great job on a wooden stock of mine.

Very talented fella!

Some one called My name

I don't think the Oberndorf sporting Mausers were rust blued as a general rule, the original one I have isn't. Having said that the original sporter bluing (and the military rifles too) is nothing like modern tank blues. I've lent my copy of Roy Dunlap's book but I think he covers it . . . .

When I had an original rebuilt I did go with a rust blue (Dave Ward did the work) and its very nice (but nothing like the original)

Here is Larry Potterfield of Midway USA doing slow rust bluing, first with a rod and then a later video using plugs and introducing the use of warm moist air cupboard.

He uses a proprietary rust bluing solution.






This guy uses a homemade solution and a heat gun. I presume the heat gun is to heat the steel prior to applying the solution to accelerate the reaction but the video does not show use of the heat gun -- maybe he decided it was not necessary.

Recipe for the rust bluing solution used: 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar, 1/16 cup salt.

Awesome, thanks for the info guys

@Cordite how strong is that hydrogen peroxide? did a quick look locally and it varies.
I wouldve thought it would be 100% so to speak, but crankiest is 60

Originally Posted by csmiffy

@Cordite how strong is that hydrogen peroxide? did a quick look locally and it varies.
I wouldve thought it would be 100% so to speak, but crankiest is 60

He says elsewhere he uses the standard 3% antiseptic stuff.

I'd not go higher as the solution already seems a bit borderline fast.