Blueing technical questions - need expert

solvability · July 8, 2005, 07:19 PM

Is it true that blueing takes a while to harden? I was told to wait a week to reassemble parts because the blueing takes days to achieve wear resistance.

True false - science?

Dave Sample · July 8, 2005, 07:45 PM

I like to wait about three days for the blue to settle in. One refinisher here used to oil up new bluing with 90 weight aircraft oil for three days. I don't really know what is true, but I still like plenty of oil and a three day wait even if it's an "Old Wive's Tail"! (Pun Intended).............................

cntryboy1289 · July 8, 2005, 09:35 PM

It takes a few days for the bluing to fully harden and take effect. Like Mr. Sample said, three days will usually suffice.

Jim Watson · July 8, 2005, 09:52 PM

Can't hurt. A friend told the shop to completely immerse his gun in oil for a week after bluing. It looked great. Was it the polish, the blue, the aging, or the oil? Who knows, it all came together.

Dfariswheel · July 8, 2005, 11:56 PM

A fresh blue job is said to be still "green", or not hardened.

You can enhance the appearance and "age" a new, right out of the tank blue job by soaking it in oil for a week.

During the week, GENTLY rub the surface with an oily patch once or twice a day.

This will remove some surface oxidation and make the finish much shinier, plus the finish will reach full hardness.

You can do the soak by just keeping a thick coat of oil on the parts, or you can actually put the parts in a small warming tank full of oil.

solvability · July 9, 2005, 07:18 AM

I put the small parts in a jar full of oil and the larger parts wrapped in oil soaked cloth in plastic bags - will gently polish for a few days.

Thanks - these are great answers.

Dave Sample · July 9, 2005, 02:54 PM

Good man! It may be Black Magic, but it won't hurt a thing!

July 8, 2005, 07:19 PM	#1
solvability Member Join Date: March 5, 2005 Location: HSV Posts: 98	Blueing technical questions - need expert Is it true that blueing takes a while to harden? I was told to wait a week to reassemble parts because the blueing takes days to achieve wear resistance. True false - science?

July 8, 2005, 09:35 PM	#3
cntryboy1289 Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2004 Location: Ms Posts: 1,160	yes it does It takes a few days for the bluing to fully harden and take effect. Like Mr. Sample said, three days will usually suffice.

July 8, 2005, 07:45 PM	#2
Dave Sample Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2004 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 1,002	I like to wait about three days for the blue to settle in. One refinisher here used to oil up new bluing with 90 weight aircraft oil for three days. I don't really know what is true, but I still like plenty of oil and a three day wait even if it's an "Old Wive's Tail"! (Pun Intended).............................

July 8, 2005, 09:52 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Can't hurt. A friend told the shop to completely immerse his gun in oil for a week after bluing. It looked great. Was it the polish, the blue, the aging, or the oil? Who knows, it all came together.

July 8, 2005, 11:56 PM	#5
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	A fresh blue job is said to be still "green", or not hardened. You can enhance the appearance and "age" a new, right out of the tank blue job by soaking it in oil for a week. During the week, GENTLY rub the surface with an oily patch once or twice a day. This will remove some surface oxidation and make the finish much shinier, plus the finish will reach full hardness. You can do the soak by just keeping a thick coat of oil on the parts, or you can actually put the parts in a small warming tank full of oil.

July 9, 2005, 07:18 AM	#6
solvability Member Join Date: March 5, 2005 Location: HSV Posts: 98	I put the small parts in a jar full of oil and the larger parts wrapped in oil soaked cloth in plastic bags - will gently polish for a few days. Thanks - these are great answers.

July 9, 2005, 02:54 PM	#7
Dave Sample Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2004 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 1,002	Good man! It may be Black Magic, but it won't hurt a thing!