doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Belgium Blue

Hi Anyone here used Art's Belgium Blue that Brownell's sells. Good or bad results? Thanks

I believe it is about the same as the Baker blue. I have used that formula and technique many times and it is excellent.

I used it years ago when it was a Herter's exclusive. As stated it is basically a takeoff of Baker's Express blue. I always had good results with it then. I assume it is still the same formulation, but have not used any of the present day stuff.
Miller

Is it a true rust blue?

Yes, it is a true rust blue, an "express" version of the much slower traditional rusting method.

"true" rust bluing requires repeated rusting, boiling, carding etc. to build up the dark color to the desired tone and polish. Are you saying this product is like that or an instant cold blue product?

This product is very similar to that process, it is far different from an instant cold blue process. The metal is prepped to the degree of polish just as in what you know as traditional rust bluing, then boil the metal in plain water to remove any traces of oils. Apply the solution cold from the bottle while the metal is still hot from the boiling water, it will turn a greyish black almost instantly. Coat for as even a color as you can get. Return to the boiling water tank for the specified time, and remove, dry, card, and repeat until you have the depth of color you want. The work that is saved in this procedure is the time saved in hanging the coated barrels to rust at each application. The chemicals are different, a grey black color is obtained very quickly, and deepened with repeat boilings and cardings and applications just as in traditional rust bluing. You would be very surprised to learn the number fo shops that are using this method as their only rust bluing method. It is called an "express" method because of the time saved in hanging to rust. One of the best products is Brownells Dicropan IM, I have used it any number of times with full success and satisfaction.

Is the Belgium blue as durable as the regular rust blue? And has anyone used it to refinish damascus barrels?

I'm in total afreement with cxhiefshotgun, I have used dicropan IM many times with grteat results. Ken

The new stuff from Brownells seems to be the same as the old Herters stuff,,including the Mercury Bichloride chemical agent. So handle with care. Also, if you use any of these older formulas with the mercury bichloride compounds in them (that's one reason they work so well!), the mercury will precipitate out onto any precious or semi precious inlays on the steel and they will be coated with the mercury. It does not remove easily. The normal carding will not take it off the inlays. So very carefull application of the solution is necessary. Personally, I'd just stay away from the mercury all together. It will be in the carding dust in the environment of your shop, your clothes, your lungs, etc forever.