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Old August 7, 2013, 01:48 PM   #1
AirCool65
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Bluing touchup - S&W revolver

I've got a S&W 10-8 that's in good condition, outside of some holster wear. I'm considering touching it up with some cold blue. I see that the Birchwood Casey Super Blue warns you to keep it off of the original bluing, but there's no such warning on Brownell's Oxpho-Blue. I'd appreciate some opinions on them.

I really can't justify the S&W refinishing... it's a shooter and I really don't want to have that much money tied up in it. I'm just looking for something that's presentable and provides some protection from the elements.

Thanks in advance.
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Old August 7, 2013, 02:06 PM   #2
Bill DeShivs
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None of the touch-up blues offer protection from the elements. They are not really bluing.
Oxpho blue is one of the better cold blues. None of them should be applied over bluing. Just use a Q tip and apply it to the worn areas.
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Old August 7, 2013, 02:06 PM   #3
Garycw
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Bluing touchup - S&W revolver

I touched up some holster wear on my 10-6 with Casey's and it looked fine using the Q-tip method. . I've never tried one of the blue pens but that may be a option too depending on how much needs touched up
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Old August 7, 2013, 03:54 PM   #4
James K
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Don't do it. Holster wear is a normal condition on firearms and rarely detracts much from appearance or value. But cold bluing is always obvious and detracts from the appearance. Worse, some cold blues will remove the remaining factory blue in any areas it touches, so attempts to touch up a small spot leads to removal of the blue from a larger area.

Jim
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Old August 8, 2013, 03:55 PM   #5
max it
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ditto on what James said,
however if you use bluing first clean off all oils with Acetone, you know nail polish remover.
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Old August 8, 2013, 04:56 PM   #6
AirCool65
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I just replaced the grips on it and they kind of look out of place... the rest of the gun should look so good.
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Old August 11, 2013, 03:25 PM   #7
salvadore
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I used the oxpho-blue on an old Israeli hi-power trade in that had a paint on finish that was chipping away. I think it looks great considering what it looked like when I got it. I should post a pic, give me a minute or two. I've also used it to touch up some of my 1980s era revolvers
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Old August 11, 2013, 03:34 PM   #8
Revoltella
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Quote:
I just replaced the grips on it and they kind of look out of place... the rest of the gun should look so good.
You mean like this one?



The holster wear gives it character, like the lines on a man's face.
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Old August 11, 2013, 03:50 PM   #9
salvadore
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Its not a very even finish but its ok for a car gun.






Also did my$89.00 1937 Brazllion Navy trade in.

Last edited by salvadore; August 11, 2013 at 04:03 PM.
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Old August 12, 2013, 11:39 AM   #10
AirCool65
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Yes Revoltella, except that mine is the heavy barrel version.
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Old August 12, 2013, 06:45 PM   #11
Bill DeShivs
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Salvadore-
Sorry, but it doesn't look "great."
This is why most of the experienced gun people discourage cold bluing.
The owners say "it looks great," and they really think it does.
Reality is completely different.
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