Trouble bluing a magazine

weasel1

weasel1

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I'm still picking away at finishing a Parker Hale and the last on the to do list was to touch up the magazine. For whatever reason, this thing just won't take bluing. Original bluing remains everywhere except the bottom. There, I had to sand off some rust so, its in the white. I have tried 3 different cold blues and the best came out really blotchy. I have even cleaned it up really well and tried my PJ's express rust bluing. After multiple passes, it just wouldn't darken (worked really well on the barrel/receiver). The last attempt was a black oxide solution. That worked better than the rest, but its not as dark as it should be. Right now its soaking in used oil until I can come up with another plan. If I could get this magazine apart, I'd be tempted to try an oil blackening finish. Anything else I could try besides hot caustic bluing (don't have, nor access too) or resorting to paint?
 
I can't speak to your specific issue but only tell you what works for me. I use Outer's cold blue, I follow the instructions to a T except when it's time to rinse off I use boiling hot water and it really darkens and takes well. I then gently buff to a shiny even finish with triple ought steel wool. I found if I didn't use boiling hot water at the rinse stage the bluing wasn't as dark as I was looking for. Can't explain the science behind it but it seems to work for me.
 
This is the detachable box magazine?
Have you cleaned it to bare metal and thoroughly degreased?
 
sand blast or bead blast . then send or deliver to Gunco in Ottawa. have him hot blue it. as the prep work is already done, and its not a pile of small parts, the price should be minimal.
do not oil it after sand blasting ,or it will have to be redone.
 
Of the cold blues I used, one was Outers. The other two were Birch Casey super blue and G96 creme. I was using the boiling rinse ( since I was trying the PJ's and that's what they require) and it helped, but not too much. The (detachable box mag) was well degreased. My thought is the same as marshall. It must be an odd alloy. You can actually see a pattern in the steel as some of it darkens. Really weird. Should have taken a pic. And again, hot bluing isn't an option. I'm doing this as a favor for a friend. If we were going to go with hot bluing, the whole rifle would have been done.
 
I got the spring and follower out. Turns out what I was seeing is how they welded the mag together. Just tried oil blackening, but I suspect the only way I'll be happy is to paint it.
 
I started using brownell's Oxpho Blue and stopped having issues with cold bluing. Comes in liquid and cream formulas. Try soaking the part in acetone and then when dry heat it before putting the bluing to it. Has worked for me in the past when something was stuborn to take the bluing.
Scott...
 
When touching up parts that require bluing with the so called cold blue stuff such as Birchwood Casey, I find that heating the part to 180 degrees works best. And yes, rinsing with boiling water is a good idea. :)
 
So, it would appear as though the oil blackening took fairly well. Damn near tempted to strip it and try what you guys have suggested...
 
Well, i stripped the oil coating off because curiosity got the better of me. I warmed up the mag and applied cold blue. While it worked much better this time, it damn near wiped off! While rinsing under hot water, I got a sponge to help wipe off the G96 creme and the bluing literally wiped off. I'm really baffled. There has to be something funny going on with this piece of metal. I'll try the oil darkening again and see how it turns out. Worst case, its painting time. Appreciate the help folks.
 
Metal needs to be 100% oil free. I use break cleaner, then acetone rinse. Do not, I repeat do not touch with bare fingers. Use rubber or latex gloves. Apply bluing with cotton swap or clean sponge. Let it sit for a few minutes then rinse under hot water. Repeat as necessary. Wipe down with good gun oil.
 
There are a few Cerakote guys near you. Send it to one of them. You've already invested enough time with bad results. Cheers.
 
weasel1 said:
Well, i stripped the oil coating off because curiosity got the better of me. I warmed up the mag and applied cold blue. While it worked much better this time, it damn near wiped off! While rinsing under hot water, I got a sponge to help wipe off the G96 creme and the bluing literally wiped off. I'm really baffled. There has to be something funny going on with this piece of metal. I'll try the oil darkening again and see how it turns out. Worst case, its painting time. Appreciate the help folks.
Click to expand...

I suspect your problem is in the metal composition of the mag. Too much alloys and your magazine will come out splotchy.
 
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