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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 128
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 128 |
I just bought an Italian box lock on an internet site. In the photos the finish on the receiver looked like a flat finish like the old French grey finish. When I got the gun the gun had a polished mirror finish. I would like to get the finish toned down some without major work. Any tried and true ideas? Thanks!
I like the gun otherwise.
Last edited by pmag; 03/02/15 11:38 AM.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 680
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 680 |
You should be able to kill the shine by gently polishing the shiny areas with a green scotch bright pad until you get the desired finish.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,457 Likes: 336
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,457 Likes: 336 |
I have used shower grout cleaner, vinegar, commercial blue remover, and rust remover. All will work on most steels,leaving a bit duller finish, but care must be taken to not have the application too long, and to rinse thoroughly.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 128
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 128 |
400 or 600 grit sandpaper?
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,418 Likes: 2
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,418 Likes: 2 |
gunut
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,609 Likes: 14
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,609 Likes: 14 |
You should chemically treat it to remove the shine. Naval Jelly is caustic enough to do it but any oil or silicon must be totally removed first in order to get an even finish. Don't use an abrasive pad or sandpaper.
If you try Naval Jelly don't leave it on too long. You can reapply it a bit longer the second time to get the desired finish.
You can also submerge it in full strength vinegar to attain a muted 'french gray' appearance. Duration of the bath is also something you need to keep an eye on.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,862
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,862 |
Boric acid would also work, it's milder than Naval Jelly, but stronger than vinegar. It's not so prone to "Flash Rusting" like Naval Jelly. Six heaping tablespoons of powder per gallon of hot water.
Last edited by Ken61; 03/03/15 01:00 AM.
I prefer wood to plastic, leather to nylon, waxed cotton to Gore-Tex, and split bamboo to graphite.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 128
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 128 |
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,971 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,971 Likes: 103 |
I have used both ferric chloride and diluted nitric acid (barrel browning solution). Both work great. Wash/wipe off after 30 seconds or so and repeat if necessary. As mentioned above, clean the action of oils, grease, etc prior.
John McCain is my war hero.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 521 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 521 Likes: 4 |
Years ago I used phosphoric acid to generate dull gray surface. It must generate a phosphate coating of some kind, maybe like Parkerizing, as the surfaces were pretty rust resistant. I would suggest going through Brownell's catalog to see if they have something specially formulated for this purpose.
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