Rust Bluing Solution

1/2 cup Hydrogen Peroxide

3 tablespoons table salt

2oz Vinegar

1-liter Distilled Water

1 cup Muriatic Acid with copper wire soaking in it

Apply with spray bottle set on fine mist


Make up a "steam box" and add distilled water to the bottom

DO NOT ALLOW THE BARREL TO SIT IN THE WATER

Run a stainless wire to hang the barrel and block both ends.

Keep the temp of the box around 100F and keep the coated barrel in the box for 3-4 hours.

If the barrel has condensation on it, the box is too hot and you will get splotchy blue.
 
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bertn said:
If you can find the ingredients then it would not be very hard to make yourself.

https://www.firearmbluing.com.au/articles/my-rust-blue-recipe/
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I use a similar recipe. 1 1/4 oz nitric, 1 oz hydrochloric ( I use a shot glass) 1/2 oz wire nails, 15 oz distilled water
Use a large jar to mix the acids, add the nails outside. It won't boil over if your jar is big enough, after it calms down add the water. Store in a dark glass bottle preferably with a glass stopper. Nails, shavings it doesn't matter and dump any undisolved bits into the bottle, they eventually disappear.
It looks like absolute crud but it works well.
 
Does the hydrogen peroxide formula give you the same results as commercial products. I have been using Brownells for 20 plus years and have been happy with it.
 
PJ Gun and Metal in Richmond Hill ON. I used their rust bluing solution on a scope base and it gave me a very dark blue finish. This is a hot bluing where you have to boil your part to get it to rust.
 
smokinbarrel said:
I use a similar recipe. 1 1/4 oz nitric, 1 oz hydrochloric ( I use a shot glass) 1/2 oz wire nails, 15 oz distilled water
Use a large jar to mix the acids, add the nails outside. It won't boil over if your jar is big enough, after it calms down add the water. Store in a dark glass bottle preferably with a glass stopper. Nails, shavings it doesn't matter and dump any undisolved bits into the bottle, they eventually disappear.
It looks like absolute crud but it works well.
Click to expand...

I have been rust bluing for many years and this is the recipe I use as well. Easy to make, once you find the acids, and does a great job.
 
smokinbarrel said:
I use a similar recipe. 1 1/4 oz nitric, 1 oz hydrochloric ( I use a shot glass) 1/2 oz wire nails, 15 oz distilled water
Use a large jar to mix the acids, add the nails outside. It won't boil over if your jar is big enough, after it calms down add the water. Store in a dark glass bottle preferably with a glass stopper. Nails, shavings it doesn't matter and dump any undisolved bits into the bottle, they eventually disappear.
It looks like absolute crud but it works well.
Click to expand...

Standard procedure for mixing acids with water is to add the acid to the water, not the other way around.
 
fastex said:
I have been rust bluing for many years and this is the recipe I use as well. Easy to make, once you find the acids, and does a great job.
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It is a very good recipe and works well. You need to be careful about tightening the lid/stopper on the container to much though, if you're going to store it for a long time.
 
Grizzlypeg said:
Standard procedure for mixing acids with water is to add the acid to the water, not the other way around.
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Yes, this is an important detail I neglected to mention. I pour the brown acid sludge into the water. Pouring water into acid creates rapid heat that can make it react violently. splashing out of container. During this whole mixing process you should wear rubber gloves, safety glasses or a full face shield. Do it outside and stay up wind. These are nasty acids you don't want to get on you. Nitric and hydrochloric mixed together make aqua regia, which is potent enough to dissolve gold.
 
dave1 said:
Where are you buying small amounts of nitric acid.
Only supplier I can find in Alberta that will sell without a corporate account is 2.5 liters minimum
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Too bad you are not close to me, I might be able to get some.
The Muriatic acid is easy, any hardware store or CT has it.
 
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dave1 said:
Where are you buying small amounts of nitric acid.
Only supplier I can find in Alberta that will sell without a corporate account is 2.5 liters minimum
Click to expand...

Just go to the Canadian Tire "Pool Cleaning Supplies" section and purchase a bottle of Muriatic Acid.

If you want to play around a bit, just for fun on a few bits and pieces of scrap steel.

Get a can of Draino, add some salt, vinegar, and pour boiling water onto it. Use that mixture and see what happens.

Not as fast/dark as the acid types but it works
 
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