I'm in the process of refinishing a couple of projects, and I'm looking for a company that carries the rust blue solution (i.e. Pilkington's, Brownell's Classic, etc.). So far, none of the american companies I've looked at will ship any of these north of the border since they're classified as hazardous. Is there anyone here in Canada that carries something similar? I already have the proper carding wheels and the rusting cabinet, etc. I'm just missing the actual solution now.
Rust Bluing Solution Suppliers
- Thread starter ErikT
- Start date
I have used Pj's -- they are great, and located in Canada
http://www.pjsproducts.com/radocy.htm
They sell a Radocy Blue solution, which is like Arts Belgian Blue
http://www.pjsproducts.com/radocy.htm
They sell a Radocy Blue solution, which is like Arts Belgian Blue
you can easily make your own...
20ml Nitric acid
17 ml Hydrochloric acid
8 gr iron
260 ml distilled water.
mix the 2 acids together carefully in glass or acid resistant plastic dishes. Add the iron till it dissolves in the solution... Warm slightly if necessary. Then slowly and carefully add the water. I find cheap cotton makeup wipes work well to apply the solution.
20ml Nitric acid
17 ml Hydrochloric acid
8 gr iron
260 ml distilled water.
mix the 2 acids together carefully in glass or acid resistant plastic dishes. Add the iron till it dissolves in the solution... Warm slightly if necessary. Then slowly and carefully add the water. I find cheap cotton makeup wipes work well to apply the solution.
You can make your own, I did. The process is hot caustic blueing. You will need 5lbs of caustic soda aka sodium hydroxide (soap making supply), 2.5 lbs of saltpeter aka potassium nitrate (farm supply used as fertilizer) and one US gal of water. Bring solution to aprox. 290 degrees F. Soak part for 20min or until desired color is obtained. Never add water to hot solution, never put aluminium in solution (desolves very fast) and always wear protective face and body wear ( solution will disolve skin and fat, kind of how they make soap). Results are great and durable, much better than cold bueing. I would recommend a google search and a good reading on the subjet.
If you want a browning solution, plain old salt and water, once rusted proceed with carding and scraping, repeat until a fine grain is optained. You can also buy Firearm blueing and browning, a Stackpole Classic Gun book, well worth the 20$ on amazon.
If you want a browning solution, plain old salt and water, once rusted proceed with carding and scraping, repeat until a fine grain is optained. You can also buy Firearm blueing and browning, a Stackpole Classic Gun book, well worth the 20$ on amazon.
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No NOT use this where there is soft solder used - sight ramps, double barrels, etc - The solution will eat away lead solder, and any left behind in a hidden cavity will continue to cause rust.
Where appropriate, hot caustic blue is very nice.
Where not, well...........
Where appropriate, hot caustic blue is very nice.
Where not, well...........
TOTW also sells the Lokaurel Mtn Forge product. I have used it successfully for a brown finish but not for rust bluing although I realize it can be used that way by slightly changing the application process.
