doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Question re: rust blue to match existing blue

Have mid-nineties Manufrance Robust 222. Gun close to excellent condition except at some time, muzzles have been grasped by a bloody hand as nothing else likely explains the fingertip shape of areas with bright metal showing. There is also slight pitting which will have to be struck off before correction but in the meantime I smoothed out a bit with medium ScotchBrite and cold-blued with OxphoBlue. I would like to know if the barrels are factory rust blue or hot caustic? In either case, the bluing has a fair bit of sheen and I would like to know the probability that I can blend cold rust bluing to the original and come up with the same sheen? Aside from surface prep, how should I apply solution, control rusting time, and card to achieve, if possible, the result I'm seeking?

jack

Jack,
I have played with OxphoBlue and been able to get quite a shine. I start by cleaning the surface with alcohol. Then I warm the area to be blued with a heat gun. I then apply liquid OB to 4/0 steel wool and apply it to the area along with more heat. The OB will dry and look terrible. You can either keep polishing with the steel wool or apply some OB to a patch and polish the film off. I keep polishing the area until the patch is almost dry and there appears to be no OB remaining on the barrel. You can repeat the above until you get the desired finish. When satisfied, finish by polishing with a patch slightly dampened with OB. Keep rubbing the surface to bring up the shine. I then coat with Ballistol which deepens and enhances the color. As you probably know, OB is pretty user friendly. The heat, steel wool and buffing seem to be the real keys.

Good luck and have fun.

Thanks for the tip, Phil. I will try your technique with the Oxpho. If it works out to give reasonably acceptable blend, laziness will kick in and I'll never get around to Laurel Mtn. and the teakettle.

jack