Make a Blue barrel stainless?

ericsaysgo · March 20, 2009, 10:49 PM

Does anybody know how hard it would be to sand and polish a blue barrel to stainless? Is getting a 'factory stainless' finish possible? Thanks in advance.

**Brian Pfleuger** · March 20, 2009, 10:54 PM

The steel under the bluing is not stainless. "Stainless" is not a finish, it's a type of metal, several types actually. You could certainly remove the bluing and get bare, shiny metal but it would rust in a hurry unless you protected it somehow. Like clear-coat.

ericsaysgo · March 20, 2009, 11:03 PM

thanks pizza! i'll keep the sandpaper away then.

**JohnKSa** · March 20, 2009, 11:24 PM

You can get an appearance that is something like stainless (including the corrosion resistance) by having the barrel plated with hard chrome, electroless nickel, NP3 or something similar.

Alleykat · March 21, 2009, 11:38 AM

On a Glock, or any other barrel that's Tenifered or Melonited, you can remove the exterior finish without affecting the rust-preventative nature of the steel's treatment.

March 20, 2009, 10:49 PM	#1
ericsaysgo Junior Member Join Date: September 5, 2008 Posts: 6	Make a Blue barrel stainless? Does anybody know how hard it would be to sand and polish a blue barrel to stainless? Is getting a 'factory stainless' finish possible? Thanks in advance.

March 20, 2009, 10:54 PM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Staff Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Central, Southern NY, USA Posts: 14,516	The steel under the bluing is not stainless. "Stainless" is not a finish, it's a type of metal, several types actually. You could certainly remove the bluing and get bare, shiny metal but it would rust in a hurry unless you protected it somehow. Like clear-coat. __________________ Still happily answering to the call-sign Peetza. --- You do not HAVE a soul. You ARE a soul. You HAVE a body. -C.S. Lewis He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose. -Jim Eliott, paraphrasing Philip Henry.

March 20, 2009, 11:24 PM	#4
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 16,766	You can get an appearance that is something like stainless (including the corrosion resistance) by having the barrel plated with hard chrome, electroless nickel, NP3 or something similar. __________________ Did you know that there is a TEXAS State Rifle Association? Check out Black Bear Flashlights.

March 20, 2009, 11:03 PM	#3
ericsaysgo Junior Member Join Date: September 5, 2008 Posts: 6	thanks pizza! i'll keep the sandpaper away then.

March 21, 2009, 11:38 AM	#5
Alleykat Junior member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 3,668	On a Glock, or any other barrel that's Tenifered or Melonited, you can remove the exterior finish without affecting the rust-preventative nature of the steel's treatment.