Started my first Rust Blue.

[STUMPJMPR]

I just started my first rust blue using Brownells Classic Rust Blue.  I polished the parts with 400 grit.  I had to leave some pitting.  It was too deep to be removed. 

I let the metal rust over night and did my first boiling and carding this morning.  I have some streaks of uncolored metal.  Is this normal?  Will they begin to blend with more applications?  I de-greased the metal with carb cleaner. 

[oldred]

You probably have seen my post just a few days ago and obviously I am new at this also but I have been very busy at it the last few days and have learned a lot. First off the problem I was asking about seems to be rare and was just a case of my rotten luck for having chosen such a difficult metal to work with for my first attempt, I have been working on the barrel and other parts the last couple of days and it's going really well, much easier than I thought it would to do a professional looking job. My problem turned out to be the material I chose for making the receiver and it's highly unlikely that you would run into that. On these latest parts I too had those streaks you mention and with subsequent rust sessions they will go away, the first couple of applications were disappointing to me but it shouldn't  have been, after the third or fourth application the disappointment turned into delight as the parts started looking really good! Just keep at it and you are going to be really pleased as the work progresses, I certainly was and I had no prior experience  either.

BTW, I just gave up on the heat treated 4140 and sent it to a gunsmith for hot blue, even that it turns out is tricky with that particular metal and it will turn out a purplish color when hot blued unless it's done properly.

[STUMPJMPR]

I read your post and saw where you was sending it off.  Sometimes that's your best bet.  I just carded the parts for the 3rd time and applied another coat.  They are starting to look pretty nice.  It's very humid hear in Louisiana so they get a nice coat of rust in about 6 hours.  The pits aren't too noticeable since the color is starting to even out. 

 I'm working on an old Thompson Center Hawken that flooded a few years back and has been leaning in a corner untouched. 

[STUMPJMPR]

I finished it this morning.  I wish I would have went one more cycle.  However, it still looks pretty good.  It looks like a well taken care of gun instead of a brand new one.

[Alphawolf45]

STUMPJMPR  Show pictures of your first time using Brownells Classic Rust Blue.



I am using Pilkingtons rust blue solution ..Not made anymore but I have never been impressed with it anyway..Using up the bottle then want to try something else. Seems the Pilkingtons  dont rust the metal with any enthusiasm.. Humidity here in Arkansas only 41% today..Generally I let'em rust overnight and boil in the morning..Takes 7 or 8 applications to look good. Second application on this barrel  now  and she is streaky, blotchy but I know it will look real nice eventually....Color case hardening the receiver tomorrow. This is a scratch built replication of a 50 cal.  Maynard Civil war era breechloading Carbine

[STUMPJMPR]

I'll post pictures when I'm done.  I had marred the barrel a little with my softjaws while reassembling.  I decided to start over.  I polished it out Monday night and started over.    The Brownell's rust blew will rust it in 6 hours here.  However, it is 80-90% humidity.

[Alphawolf45]

STUMPJMPR  Its 90% humidity here this morning. I should have set the barrel outside overnight to rust.There hardly any fresh rust on it this morning. I will order some of the Brownells rust blue.
 Shame you boogered the work with the softjaws but I admire your attitude for immediately going for the do-over....

[gunnut69]

Hey guys you need a humidity cabinet. Fairly simple to build and will really help with the rusting process.. use a light bulb for power and the wattage to regulate heat production.. wood box(marine plywood)..

[Alphawolf45]

 Gunnut69  I agree. Just a bowl of water or how do you add humidity to the box?




 I want to backtrack on my previous comments about Pilkingtons because I see Brownells still selling it. I had heard it was out of production..I said it didnt work fast but then again I only used it on maybe a dozen guns and I am bad about not following directions. Likely with a proper setup and adherence to the instructions it would give faster results..I dont want to badmouth a good product.

[STUMPJMPR]

I thought about a humidity cabinet, but I decided to try it without one.  The instructions said you only need one in low humidity.  Here in the south we average very high humidity.  The parts will be completely rusted here in 6-12 hours.  However, the more times you do it the less it rust.  There probably isn't much difference between the Brownells and Pilkingtons are probably very similiar formulas.  They are both diluted acids. 

[Alphawolf45]

 After Gunnut69s suggestion I put my barrel in a 55 gallon steel barrel. Poured some water in the bottom. Hung a light bulb inside and laid a cover on top..Simple and effective. Got a good coat of rust in a few hours...3rd application done, several more to go...

[STUMPJMPR]

I just started my 3rd coat tonight.  I still have a few really thin spots.  They should be completely gone by the 4th coat.  I plan on doing it 6-7 times.  I prefer to let it rust from air humidity.  Work really gets in the way on rust bluing.

[gunnut69]

Remember the humidity in our modern climate controled homes is much less than the ambient numbers.. Also beware of metal cabinets as condensation drips are a possibility,,don't ask how I acquired that knowledge..

[STUMPJMPR]

Remember the humidity in our modern climate controled homes is much less than the ambient numbers.. Also beware of metal cabinets as condensation drips are a possibility,,don't ask how I acquired that knowledge..

This is true.  Indoor humidity is very low.  I do all my work in my shop.  It is not air conditioned or insulated so it works pretty well.

[STUMPJMPR]

Not perfect but it is 100% better.

[gunnut69]

Looks pretty good to me,,congratulations!!