Removing old blueing

[evster]

Hello,

I am using some rust remover gel to remove the old blueing on my gun and it seems to be working pretty good. After I remove the blueing from a section the finish still looks rough (i.e. tiny black spots). What causes these spots and is there any way to get rid of them to get a nice smooth metal surface before applying blueing chemicals?

Thanks!
Evan

 

[HPL]

Was there rust on the surface before you took off the blueing? Sounds like you've got rust pits on there or something.

 

[evster]

There wasn't rust that i could see. The blueing was worn and this is an old gun.

 

[SandRoad]

Most of the rust removers will turn rusted areas black. This is a chemical reaction. To remove blueing, degrease, and then use muriatic acid. Do this just before you are ready to reblue.

 

[buster]

where do i find muriatic acid? i've heard of it ,but don't know where to purchase.

 

[SandRoad]

where do i find muriatic acid? i've heard of it ,but don't know where to purchase.

Any hardware store or Crappy Tire. It usually comes in 1 or 4 litre bottles.

K

 

[spi]

Muriatic acid is swimming pool acid. IIRC it is diluted hydrochloric acid. It's also used to etch concrete before painting, and I have used it to etch damascus steel to reveal the pattern. If you use it to remove bluing, test it on a small section first as it does etch mild steel faster than carbon steels and does etch both over time. A quick wipe may do nothing more than remove the blue, but continued exposure will definately "gray" the steel and eventually roughen it like sandblasting.

Remember it is an acid so use all safety precautions with it, and remember that it can be neutralized with a saturated solution of baking soda and water.

 

[buster]

thank you,would you dilute it further for removing gun blue,or use right out of bottle?

 

[guntech]

thank you,would you dilute it further for removing gun blue,or use right out of bottle?

Dilute it a lot..... I add it to container of warm water ( keep the fumes out of your lungs) and then immerse the parts to be stripped... take them out in a few seconds when the blueing is gone and rinse thoroughly with hot water and dry the part...

 

[spi]

Yeppers, start with a small amount, very dilute, and increase concentration until it works the way you want it to. As when trying anything new, an excess of caution is never out of place.

 

[SKScanuck]

I use it straight up.

I also have a respirator, eye protection and gauntlet sized acid proof rubber gloves.

I put in a large plastic cooler or small plastic container with lid on amaller parts.

The fumes can burn your lungs. The acid can blind you.

Be carefull.

Full strength trips bluing in about 2-10 minutes.