Blueing/ Coating ??

[kody]

I got a shotgun barrel that had some"dust" rust on it.I tried to minimize the rust but what appeared to be "cold" blueing came off too; only on the top of the barrel and along the left rear. The remainder looked very good. It seems that only a portion of the barrel was subjected to a rusting environment and then was smoothed and cold blued because there is some evidence of light pitting in the same area. I've no experience in blueing. In reading up on the internet I ran across BLUE WONDER and Midway has it as well as a huge variety of "coatings". I read of people in this forum using cold blueing a lot and now wonder what advice I can get from people who do know about the subject? Thanks for any help you can give,  Ken

[Reverend Recoil]

For the best finish you will have to re-blue the entire barrel.  The highest quality blueing system for home workshop application is the slow rust process.  Search the internet for “slow rust blueing” for a detailed description.  It is more labor intensive and takes longer than other processes but nothing else produces the fine satin blue finish found on classic double shotguns barrels.  Only one tank is needed for cleaning and boiling.  No hot caustic chemicals are used.  Pilkerton rust blue solution is available from Midway and Brownells.  If you can follow a recipe in a cook book, you can make metal change color.  The real work and skill in any blueing process is in the metal preparation and cleaning.  Perfect blueing requires perfect polishing and is best done by hand.  Another alternative is to clean and polish your barrel yourself and send it off to a shop for hot caustic blueing.  Good luck.

[Huffmanite]

I basically agree with Reverend Recoil, even though I've never rust blued any rifle and etc.  However, if you just want to touch up the bad parts of the barrels finish, Blue Wonder or Oxpho Blue should give satisfactory results.  May not match perfectly, but will do the job.  I've used both with pretty good results.

[gunnut69]

Sounds like someone used a cold blue product that after rusts unless treated.. OxphoBlue from Brownells doesn't need a perfectly clean surface to work and helps fight after rusting and comes with application instructions.. It is very tough and won't come off with cleaning. The Pilkington product is also sold by Brownells and comes with instructions(used to anyway) in it's use. All that's needed is a metal pan sufficient to hold the barreled action, steel wool and applicator pads(will also need water to fill the pan. I recommend distilled. I use pads sold at WalMart for womens make up removal.. They fit all my criteria, cheap, easy to use and little cleanup.. After any bluing process allow the newly applied blue to set a few days, oiled down, to harden, then heat and wax to protect..