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Blackening steel parts

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by paul 308, Feb 25, 2005.

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  1. paul 308

    paul 308 Karting

    Jan 13, 2004
    110
    Guildford, Surrey UK
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    Paul Deslandes
    #1 paul 308, Feb 25, 2005
    Anyone know a good home diy (safe) method of blackening exposed steel parts, bolts, nuts etc? I have found gun blueing products on US websites but these are not available in the UK as far as I know. I've used phosphoric acid to remove the rust but need something to rustproof coat the surface. I've heated items up to cherry red and quenched in old engine oil in the past but I hate to think what this does to the tensile strength of a bolt!
     
  2. writerguy

    writerguy F1 Veteran

    Sep 30, 2003
    6,786
    NewRotic
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    Otto
    #2 writerguy, Feb 25, 2005
    the process is called Blueing

    it is not easy but requires a large vat of acid and really hot metal

    not exactly something for the hobby guy but you might check around some of those odd british men who like to do "Historic Reenactments" and find the Musket guys... Bet they would know...
     
  3. GavC

    GavC Formula Junior

    May 9, 2004
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    Gavin Culshaw
    #3 GavC, Feb 25, 2005
    Try Frosts Restoration Products I seem to think they did a kit to black plate items. I could be wrong it was a couple of yrs ago
     
  4. PWehmer

    PWehmer Formula 3

    Oct 15, 2002
    1,733
    Surrounded by Water
    #4 PWehmer, Feb 25, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  5. fletch62

    fletch62 Formula Junior

    Mar 8, 2004
    333
    Fairhope, AL
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    Larry Fletcher
    #5 fletch62, Feb 25, 2005
    I do my own black oxide and zinc plating. I ordered kits from Caswell. They have been very good to deal with over the past year and half. See thier website www.caswellplating.com Tell them Larry Fletcher sent you.

    PS you will want to test some junk parts to get the feel for black oxide or plating.

    Good Luck
     
  6. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
    Consultant Owner

    May 5, 2001
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    #6 Verell, Feb 25, 2005
  7. paul 308

    paul 308 Karting

    Jan 13, 2004
    110
    Guildford, Surrey UK
    Full Name:
    Paul Deslandes
    #7 paul 308, Feb 26, 2005
    Thanks for the tips guys. Frosts Restoration Products in Lancashire do have a product, which is probably the same as the US sourced ones. I'll give it a go and report back for the UK chaps who may have the same problem.

    Paul
     
  8. Jayson@IGF

    Jayson@IGF Rookie

    Aug 17, 2004
    27
    Mountain Home, AR
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    Jayson Cotter
    #8 Jayson@IGF, Feb 27, 2005
    Bluing or Black Oxide is pretty nasty stuff, the solution is made up of salts that have to be heated to 300 degrees and they make quite a mess.

    Parkerizing is much more corrosion resistant and easier for a DIY'r to use, in fact I cant think of any current military firearms with blued finishes, but almost all current firearms have a parkerized finish. However the parts come out dark gray instead of black. You could do parkerizing on your stove top with a stainless pot, it only has to be heated to 180 degrees and isnt real messy.

    Brownell's sells the solution here

    http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1110&title=PARKERIZING+SOLUTION+%26+KIT

    There are some DIY parkerizing recipes on the internet with some searching you could probably find the ingredients and make your own.
     
  9. Jon22

    Jon22 Karting

    Sep 4, 2004
    110
    Uk
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    Jon
    #9 Jon22, Feb 27, 2005
    Have a chat with a gunsmith.

    Most shotguns have the barels blued, and there are diy kits.

    Worth a try
     
  10. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 20, 2003
    16,673
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    Matt F
    #10 Smiles, Feb 27, 2005
    No need to get it that hot.

    Simply coat the steel with motor oil and heat to 350 degrees F for about ten minutes. (It's similar to seasoning a cast iron skillet.) That temperature will have no effect on the previous heat treatment of the part, but it will leave a nice, durable black finish.

    --Matt
     

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