case coloring quest

[bubba.50]

anyone have a secret home formula for case coloring triggerguards and buttplates and such or know of anywhere that does this type work? thanks for listenin' and any help offered, bubba.

[coyotejoe]

Not really, I case harden quite a lot of parts but they come out dull grey, hard but not beautiful. I have done quite a bit of "fake" case colors by just heating the parts with a fine tip torch and watching the color change as I move the tip across the part. In that way one can produce spots and streaks of light blue, dark blue, yellow and silver. With a bit of practice you can make a pretty decent look by just heat coloring the parts.

[bubba.50]

that's all i'm lookin' for is color. if no-one has any better ideas will give it a try. thanks friend, bubba.

[coyotejoe]

You probably should practice a bit on some scrap steel first. You can color, sand off and re- color until you get the look you want, then oil while still hot. Practice with the oil since that does affect the final color.

[mechanic]

Bubba,

Actual case hardening is the process of infusing carbon into the outer layers of metal, and traditionally was done with bone and charcoal, and a lot of heat.  As the previous poster said, you can get good colors without actually hardening the mild steel.  Don't try this on parts that might warp or on parts that are tempered or heat treated, as you will change the temper of the metal.  On trigger guards, etc. it will be fine.

As opposed to oil, you can also use paste gun blue, a small steel brush like you use to brush flux on with, and a propane torch.  Bring the metal to red, and slowly "streak" the metal with the blue paste.  This puts off noxious fumes, so do it outside.

By experimenting, you can get some good colors in the metal this way.  It will however, lose that color if allowed to rust.....keep it oiled or spray it with laquer..

Ben

[bubba.50]

thanks joe and ben. basically just wantin' to try somethin' out of the ordinary. if it don't work to suit can always go back to regular old blue or brown. will give it a try.