Best refinishing bluing?

[sgalbra76]

I am wanting to refinish a couple of non-stainless steel firearms and I wanted to use the best bluing on the market. I want it to be as durable and corrosion resistant as possible while not interfering with gun function. Looks are of secondary importance. Thanks.

[Allman]

Are you talking cold blue?

[sgalbra76]

Yes, cold blue. I thought about getting some of Brownell's 40/40 creme since it's supposed to really stick where you want it.

[Allman]

Oxpho Blue has a large following, I know one top notch gunsmith that uses it exclusively for touch up work.

I'm personally fond of Blue Wonder, but it takes some patient practice to get it right. Gives a beautiful finish as well as being tough.

I've never used the 40/40 creme so I can't comment on it.

Whatever you use, it is absolutely critical to have the metal perfectly clean and don't touch it with bare hands after cleaning. If you use steel wool to apply it, the steel wool has to be degreased as well.

If you are mostly concerned with a tough and durable finish, have you considered parkerizing? Or parkerizing followed by duracoat? Parkerizing kits/chemicals are available for a reasonable cost and it is easily within the scope of amatuer home gunsmith work. Additionally, you should have enough to do several guns if you want to.

[sgalbra76]

Thanks for the advice. I might try parkerizing, but I've never done it before. Otherwise, I think I might get a couple of different bluing agents and see which one I like bests. :)

[Bren]

Originally posted by sgalbra76
I am wanting to refinish a couple of non-stainless steel firearms and I wanted to use the best bluing on the market. I want it to be as durable and corrosion resistant as possible while not interfering with gun function. Looks are of secondary importance. Thanks.
Sounds like what you need is one of the spray finishes, like duracoat or Gun Kote - bluing, especially cold bluing, and parkerizing are not especially rust resistant and can be difficult to use. Gun Kote and Duracoat actually cover the metal and it can't really rust except where the finish wears through. I recently gun koted my brother's blue Rem 870 for that very reason.