doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DIY Gunsmithing @ doublegunshop.com Bluing engraved surfaces

I want to rust blue a few bit from an action, the usual things, trigger guard, top lever etc. What i want to know is when the converted rust is being carded off with steel wool, will it catch in the engraving and remove it completely in places ?

No. Proceed.

Thanks

Get the stainless wire wheel from Brownell ,I used it on all rust blue job , Remember steel wool has oil on it and must be cleaned with laquer thinner begfore using, as any oil or other contaminates on the work will ruin the work

Oil free steel wool is available from wood working sources. The wire brush works well, unless there is gold inlay or delicate shading in the engraving.

Extreme care should be taken when setting up a wire wheel for carding. It is very difficult to find a wheel with small enough wire( .004"), if .006" is used the speed should be reduced. Otherwise carding will be too aggressive. It is easier to just de-oil common steel wool with acetone.
Mike

Both Brownell's and Midway show the .0025" wheels out of stock. It always pays to buy extra swhen available, much like checkering tools...

Found some on Amazon. I use the smaller wheels in a variable speed drill.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=me%3DA2BMBMDT5SW4J2&field-keywords=wire+wheel

The Osborne/Riehl carding wheel 3/4arbor size is in stock at Brownells. It's .005 wire. I've used one of those but w/ 1/2" arbor for the last 40 yrs and never a problem.
I cut the speed down to 300rpm or so w/ simple pulley setup. A light even touch does it. Let the wheel do the work removing the coating. Don't go at it like you're removing old paint from a screwdriver blade!

I've never found the .005 wire to be too harsh. You have to card efficiently and completely. I used one of the ,0025 dia wire wheels a few times and didn't get what I needed from it in efficiency.

(I can't believe the price of the wheels now!,,I haven't bought one in years,,good thing I did buy an extra or two back when)

I have found over time that bluing the small items you have mentioned using rust bluing method is rather tedious drawn out chore. For small items I prefer to "Nitre Blue" them it is quick giving fine deep blue colour without all that carding. But!! it can be dangerous having a molten oxidizing salt Potassium Nitrate at a high temperature, though if you use simple precautions you will have no problems.
Just another suggestion to get to the same end.

And flame bluing is a super quick way to do screws.

As others have said above, you will never do any damage with the stainless wire wheels that brownells sells for carding. I only use steel wool for some of those cery hard to reach spaces.

The wite carding wheels worknwell for cleaning off small parts, blending polishing marks and carding off rust blue. Many uses for them.