how do you get that rainbowy finish on gun steel?

[SignGuy]

you guys now the finish i am talking about, kinda a goldy bluey multi color finish. how would i do this at home ?

 

[Strangeday]

Do you mean case hardened bluing?

 

[SignGuy]

um yeah i think thats what i mmean hang on i'll post an image example

 

[Mr. Twister]

It's heat treated steel. The lever on the Ruger 96/44 is done this way.

 

[BEARMAN]

You are probably thinking of COLOR CASE HARDENING . This is on the frames of some COLT and clone pistols. I don't think it can be done at home like cold bluing, it requires heat and I believe powdered bone. Do a search of " HOW TO DO COLOR CASE HARDENING"

 

[sunray]

"...heat and I believe powdered bone.." Yep. Sometimes it's charred bone or charred leather. Definitely not a cold bluing sort of thing. Certainly can be done at home with the right equipment.

 

[trevj]

There is info online on faking color case hardening, but the real thing is, well, real.

There are a couple outfits in the US that will do color case for a price.

Setting up to do it yourself is a tough row to hoe.

Need a electic furnace, 1200-1800 degrees F capable, Case hardening carbon source (bone meal charcoal is one used) some pots to pack the stuff in, and a quench tank full of water and assorted chemistry, depending on what recipe is used.

CPA arms does a nice tiger striped version, that matches the traditional finish on the better Stevens single shots. There are a couple outfits that do Winchester style as well.

Cheers
Trev