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Author Topic: Restoring Case Colors on Reciever  (Read 1121 times)

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Offline kf4ocv

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Restoring Case Colors on Reciever
« on: August 30, 2010, 02:21:38 PM »
Is there anyway to restore the case colors on an old reciever?  It isn't rusted.  Just no colors.  AF serial # 
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Chris

Offline mechanic

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Re: Restoring Case Colors on Reciever
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2010, 02:44:45 PM »
Sorta Kinda, yeah.  Clean and buff the rec.  Take a small propane torch and begin to heat it up...you need a couple hundred degrees.  With some paste gun blue on a rag wipe over the hot metal quickly.  This will give a somewhat case color look. 

You can also buy a product called Casit, but I don't know if it could be used on cast iron.....
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Restoring Case Colors on Reciever
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2010, 03:46:10 PM »
Ive got some 'mottled blues' by casually wiping the outside with a very lightly oiled rag and propane torch heating and swabbing on some cold blue. Wipe off quick and dont try for a blue job, just some color. The oil keeps the solution from 'taking' evenly and burns in some color too. BTW, do this outside (how would I know.......?)
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Offline kf4ocv

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Re: Restoring Case Colors on Reciever
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2010, 06:01:46 PM »
thx but I dont really want to create colors,  but restore what was there originally.
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Restoring Case Colors on Reciever
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2010, 07:18:07 AM »
As I recall, the original colors are not traditional case coloring, but a chemically produced surface treatment that is not particularly durable. There are ways to do case colors, but it is kind of an art form, and due to the heating required is quite critical so as to not change the strength of the action. I have never heard if anyone pursued having H&R 're-color' an action, but the FFL shipping cost on top of the job would propbably make it too expensive for me.
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Offline kf4ocv

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Re: Restoring Case Colors on Reciever
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2010, 08:09:30 AM »
Thx
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Chris

Offline darkgael

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Re: Restoring Case Colors on Reciever
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2010, 08:57:13 AM »
You may want to contact H&R about the possibility and cost of such a restoration.
BTW - you do not need an FFL to handle shipping for you. You can legally send a firearm that you own to the manufacturer for repair and receive it from them directly. I have done this more than once or twice.
Pete
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: Restoring Case Colors on Reciever
« Reply #7 on: September 13, 2010, 06:46:27 PM »
up to about 7-8 years ago H&R used to re-do case colored frames and the cost IIRC was about $15 but no more than $20!!!!....<><....:)
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Offline 32 Magnum

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Re: Restoring Case Colors on Reciever
« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2010, 07:49:15 AM »
You CANNOT restore the original case coloring - once it is worn or polished off - it is gone.  Originally it is a very thin oxidation layer atop the steel.  The older H&R receivers were dipped in hot cyanide salt solutions to get a case hardening effect.  That treatment resulted in the "tiger striped" receivers seen on the older (pre 1950's) shotguns.
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Restoring Case Colors on Reciever
« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2010, 07:53:59 AM »
Ive got a 1974 model with very nice 'tiger striping' colors....dont know how it compares with what you mention as older colors, but way better than the new ones. Still a shotgun frame though, too bad, it would make the basis for a pretty rifle. As is , I use it as my shotgun swap-barrel platform (12FC/20M).
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22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
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45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline 32 Magnum

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Re: Restoring Case Colors on Reciever
« Reply #10 on: September 16, 2010, 09:21:12 AM »
gcrank,
Can you supply the serial number, including any letter prefixes.  You're RIGHT, I must have been talking through my a..!  I just checked my picture albums - and the single barrel shotguns DO have the Tiger Stripe effect (including one that I bought new in 2006) - although with more intense coloration, probably because they're newer and have less wear.  I stand corrected. :o  ALSO, it is the hand guns with the "ANTIQUE FINISH" that have the more traditional color case hardening effect.
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Restoring Case Colors on Reciever
« Reply #11 on: September 16, 2010, 09:41:44 AM »
It is an H&R, Gardner, AM204XXX
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"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline kf4ocv

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Re: Restoring Case Colors on Reciever
« Reply #12 on: October 05, 2010, 09:42:47 AM »
to MSP RET:   H&R probably wouldn't touch this one it is a 1969 AF prefix but it would be nice if they would.                                                                       Thanks everyone these are some real good ideas. 
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Chris
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