Make a Blue barrel stainless?

ericsaysgo · March 20, 2009, 09:49 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, 09:54 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, 10:03 PM

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

**JohnKSa** · March 20, 2009, 10:24 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, 10:38 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, 09:49 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, 09:54 PM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	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. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

March 20, 2009, 10:24 PM	#4
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,992	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. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

March 20, 2009, 10:03 PM	#3
ericsaysgo Junior Member Join Date: September 5, 2008 Posts: 6	thanks pizza! i'll keep the sandpaper away then.

March 21, 2009, 10:38 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.