Best way to remove bluing?

[msg73 1]

I have a blued slide that I want to strip down to the bare steel. Any good chemicals out there for this? I don't want to do any major sanding as there are serrations and engraving that I want to keep in tact.

[JonF 79]

There is a bluing and rust removal chemical you can buy made by Birchwood casey. I've used this to remove bluing and minor corrosion from some small parts and it works quite well. Not sure how well it scales up to larger parts though as you might need more than the little 2-3oz bottle it comes in. You may need to do a couple treatments to fully strip the finish off though unless you can get enough chemical to soak it entirely.

[Pizza Bob 1,488]

Never tried this, but we keep hearing warnings about never using a Lead-Away cloth on blued guns as it removes the bluing - just a thought.

 

However, what gun is this? So few pistols are actually blued these days that you may have a hard time with any chemical removal method. Trying to think of what guns are still actually blued - revolvers come to mind (naturally) and some 1911's. Most of the plastic fantastic crowd have some sort of gee-whiz miracle finish on them. Just know what you're getting into before you start.

 

Good luck.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

[illy 1]

That blue and rust removal stuff is apparently pretty bad for metal: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CEUQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D8_ud2M1gGlU&ei=M3YqULa7Laaj6wHy9YD4Cg&usg=AFQjCNFyaUjCXEc1Jth96jfvjx67EFSTTw&sig2=jvzkWT8wAAsPEkRE4Rj1Eg

[Cemeterys Gun Blob 165]

I was always told that 'white vinegar' was a cheap way to remove bluing, and it doesn't harm the metal.

[Pizza Bob 1,488]

I was always told that 'white vinegar' was a cheap way to remove bluing, and it doesn't harm the metal.

 

The major chemical component of vinegar (5%) is acetic acid. It will harm the metal if left on it for long periods of time (don't soak for extended periods) or not thoroughly cleaned off. It is a very weak acid, but an acid nonetheless.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

[Bully 749]

Naval Jelly.

 

C

[Shane45 807]

Just say no to navel jelly!

 

A dilute mixture of mutiatic acid will remove it IIRC. I dont remember the % but Im sure its out there on the internet somewhere.

[Bully 749]

I always say no to navel jelly. But not to naval jelly.

 

C

[Shane45 807]

I dont remember leaving jelly in there!

[Bully 749]

Yuck.

 

C

[msg73 1]

No jelly (of any kind) for me . I'll give the Birchwood Casey stuff a try. thanks.

[tt-33 8]

always herd lemon juice

[NJKen 23]

I found this when I was going to de-blue something. I decided to sell it first though. Still a good read.

http://www.m1-garand-rifle.com/debluing/

Ken