Searching for a bluing source

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jd138

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As the title indicates, hoping to find a quality gun blue service for my 1911, to include the proper blasting prep work that will fix my idiot spots where I tried to sand down some possible rust spots (and now cold blue will not take). Tulsa area preferred, but will drive to OKC area if necessary. Hoping to avoid paying the ridiculous $100+ to ship to some of the national sources. Any personal recommendations from the members?
 

swampratt

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Did you sand it to a very fine finish?
I sand my parts to very shiny finish and then use Birchwood Casey Super Blue.
I clean my hands with soap and water and dry on a towel that has been washed with NO fabric softeners or dryer sheets.
I use acetone and paper towels to clean the surface.
I then take 0000 steel wool and wad a piece up and pour some Super blue onto it and rub it onto the shiny clean steel.
I repeat that a few times and have got some really dark blueing.

The last thing I did was a handle for an old Rock Chucker press.
The handle was all surface rusted and now looks like a new Blue steel handle.

It worked on a few gun barrels and frames also.
I have not tried any other cold blue so I can't say how others will work.
 

jd138

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Thanks for the reply. I went through that process, but the bad spots are still very visible. I shouldn't have done it, but to get through the three spots that looked like white splashes, I eventually used 2000 grit wet paper and it left a weird, course finish that will not blend with the rest of the blue.
 

Catt57

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Thanks for the reply. I went through that process, but the bad spots are still very visible. I shouldn't have done it, but to get through the three spots that looked like white splashes, I eventually used 2000 grit wet paper and it left a weird, course finish that will not blend with the rest of the blue.

Sounds like there was still some oil on the metal. When i did mine I did it much like Swamprat said, but before blueing, I put on gloves, washed all of the metal parts with Dawn and water and then let them dry and I did not touch them again without gloves on. I used a brand new piece of 0000 Steel wool to apply a coat of blue, let it sit for 5-10 mins, rinsed it off with cold water, dry it of with a clean rag, and then repeated this until it was dark and even.

I also used the Birchwood Casey Super Blue btw.

Let me see if I can find the post with the results...


Here it is:
https://www.okshooters.com/threads/...-ta-refinishing-project-picture-heavy.213900/


. edit: typos
 
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mr ed

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Just make sure any steel wool you use is washed in alcohol because its treated with oil at the factory.
 

Boehlertaught

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If you give up trying to do the bluing yourself. Try Mackools. Close to 31st and Sheridan rd. They've done a few 1911s for me. Good prices and good hot salt bluing. Also check out BP Outfitters. Not sure they do bluing but they do Ceracoat. And they are really nice. The store is primo too. They are in the strip shopping center just west of Sports World.
 

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