losing the black

[emmab]

Well I finally got tired of the thick black paint on my all black russian refurb. It was the worst BBQ paint job I have seen, thick and rubber like. I borrowed a friends portable sand blaster and put glass bead type medium in the blaster and took everything off the SKS down to shiney white metal. After the blasting, and high pressure air cleaning, I rubbed all parts down with 0000 steel wool. Following the directions on the Outers Cold Blue, I degreased after sand blasting with Acetone, then washed with water. Donning gloves to not leave prints I applied the Outers with smooth strokes. Only seconds after applying the Cold Blue, the steel started to turn gray -black. I waited about five minutes while rubbing more "blue" on the areas that dried. The dried areas start to turn a green yellow, this was when I washed the Cold Blue off the steel with warm water. Letting the steel dry, I then wiped everything down with wool, looking especially for the greeny rust spots. After the steel wool I doused all with CLP. I did all pieces of the rifle including the gas tube and trigger guard. I know it was a waste of time but I'm happy with the outcome, and the rifle has a greater appeal for me. Not to mention all the factory stamps are now visible.Cheers

 

[starpuss]

looks like you need to put on more blue. most of the time you need to go over it 3 times.

but if your happy with the outcome keep it asis and keep lots of oil on it.

 

[Curtton]

looks good P .

 

[The Kurgan]

Looks great. I think it actually looks like the original, aged blue.

 

[Satain]

The only thing that would complete this is a nice buffing of the bolt carrier.

Well done buddy!

 

[fiddler]

Some of that black paint was just tacky looking and appears to be done by a child. Looks pretty good now but as mentioned, maybe a bit more blue for protection.

 

[SoBored]

Looks good, I'll keep this in mind for if I ever get the time. Thanks for all walk through of your process.

 

[emmab]

Thanks. It was an experience that took quite a bit of time. I agree that it could use another coat of blue, but Kurgan and are on the same page in regard to the light colouring, which is a lot more in tune with the age of the rifle. If it looks like its starting to rust I'll take steps to fix it. It's happy sitting in the gun closet and not lying on the frozen tundra so I think it will be fine. Cheers

 

[fat tony]

I have seen some of the Russian painted SKS's that looked like someone knew what they were doing when they painted them. Interesting. Do you have any 'before' pics?

 

[collector67]

Nice work-I've had good results with Outer's Cold Blueing kit as well.

 

[emmab]

Sorry I don't have a before picture that actually shows the paint job. The BBQ paint looked like the sks had been dipped into a vat. The end result was a very heavy coat that covered all details and made the gun look like it was made of plastic. Remember the stuff that you could dip your tools, like plier handles and screwdriver grips, to give them a non slip rubber texture? Thats what mine looked like. Some people may like that look but it started to bug me. It reminded me of a plastic air rifle. Now at least I know the sks is made of metal and looks more its age. This was one of the first russians to hit our shores and the first refurb that I bought. The Outers stuff seems to work quite well and is fairly easy to use. Cheers

 

[fat tony]

I heard the 7.62 Ishapore rifles had similar paint. I believe one fellow referred to it as: "locomotive paint".

 

[emmab]

yeah and I've seen Enfields with a similar finish(but not as bad! LOL)

 

[fat tony]

In the eyes of (well at least one cgner, who shall remain nameless ), stripping the locomotive paint off of an Ishapore 7.62 is a sacrelige against the milsurp gods.

 

[plinker 777]

yeah and I've seen Enfields with a similar finish(but not as bad! LOL)

Some enfields were finnished in stuff called "suncorite". It was baked on and IMHO looked good. It had {as all good products do} cancer causing agents in it so it's not for sale anymore. Which is a shame,I'd risk the cancer to finnish a rifle or two with it!

 

[fat tony]

I recall it was a very darned good finish on my Lithgow. However I stupidly stripped the finish laboriously with emery paper and refinished it in 44/40 blue.

 

[emmab]

I recall it was a very darned good finish on my Lithgow. However I stupidly stripped the finish laboriously with emery paper and refinished it in 44/40 blue.

Oh well....the things we do