Blueing barrels

[bigHUN]

I never did it before and I would welcome some education with this.

View attachment 717377

This shiny barrel is a Russian Stainless Steel #1045 material, much softer then we got used here in America, I had to rework the muzzle end threads on the lathe and the cutting chip is well defined also recrown it after that and I got a feel a bit softer. .22x500, arrived to me with a very last possible train back in Feb.2020.
This 15.5" TR polygonal rifling - non chocked - is a MOA accurate with .22 MRD's up to 75 meters this far I have it documented. I would not go for black anodizing if possible not to expose it to heat unnecessarily.
I would like to make it black as much the handguard, but I did not decided yet to blue only the portion at front that is sticking out or the entire length.
Couple years ago I purchased two Birchwood packages for aluminum and steel tuch-ups if needed anywhere on my airguns, but never opened these bottles yet.
What other brand would you suggest from your experience?

 

[tiriaq]

Anodizing is for aluminum.
Stainless steel does not respond well to either cold bluing, parkerizing or hot bluing.
I would suggest a coating. Some coatings require curing at some 200 degrees F. If that would be too hot for you, there are other options. You might even consider a quality spray paint.

 

[bigHUN]

....Some coatings require curing at some 200 degrees F. If that would be too hot for you, there are other options. You might even consider a quality spray paint.

200 degrees F is 93C I guess that can work. I know a gunsmith - he builds shotguns - not far from my place. Last time I visited him I saw he's ceracoat oven. But he was mentioning me about $150 a piece price not for my barrels but generally. And if I want some "custom colour" other then he is using, I would need to wait until he collects more parts for that.
I have actually 3 of these Russian barrels, one is on my Leshiy2 currently and the two in .25 have not tried them yet. The total cost is pretty steep for a retired paycheck...
This why I am lurking with the DIY idea.

 

[bigHUN]

The other option would be , I have some carbon fiber tubing and I can cut a length for a sleeve, but kind of sorry to alter the front end cap on the handguard.

View attachment 717483

 

[Evanguy]

A flat mat bbq paint would match that handguard pretty well

 

[guntech]

Spray paint... and it is easy to touch up in the future...

 

[cosmic]

1045 is carbon steel, if you are using the North American designation.

 

[45CAT]

“Spit balling” What about the spray cans of fireplace or BBQ paint ,they’re made for higher temps

 

[OkayShooter]

Brake caliper paint. Its oil resistant, it sprays good, its durable and tough. Now not sure if it comes in matte, but this is semi gloss.

It handles way more than 93 degrees that it takes to cure.

 

[bigHUN]

I toke my two barrels to a CNC shop today to rework the thread on muzzle end, the guy is busy for couple next days, expecting to get these back to my hands for mid next week.
A lot of good advise here, thanks a lot.

 

[FLHTCUI]

“Spit balling” What about the spray cans of fireplace or BBQ paint ,they’re made for higher temps

Hot Roders have been using this stuff forever "VHT Flameproof Coating Very High Temp Flat Black"
Might not match the rest of the build, but as mentioned by several others and easy to touch up should/when the need arises.
Tight Groups,
Rob

 

[fat tony]