Can you blue a chrome-plated gun barrel?

[kyron4]

Just be aware that rust blueing is going to take you several runs through and carding's before you get to the deep color you want. You want to make sure that before putting things in the steam cabinet that the barrel (or parts) are warm enough before going in there that the steam will not immediately condense on the metal parts, or else you'll get something of a spotty looking finish.

I think he's using cold blue, the wipe on, rinse, and repeat kind.

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Touched up a barrel with Blue Wonder (black) after I cleaned off the spatter around the nipple with steel wool. Came out BLACK/BLUE as night.

 

[New Hampshire]

I dont know what look you are trying to achieve, but if it is chrome you could sent the metal parts out to be re-chromed in Black. I love the look of black chrome, always wanted a car done in black chrome.

 

[Rebel bull]

How could I tell? Looks like chrome.

degrease it and try to blue it my guess that it is highly polished and left in the white. I personally have never seen a factory barrel that was chrome plated, that doesn't mean that somebody didn't have it done but in over 30 years I've never seen one

 

[Spillikins]

Chrome plated is a nickel coating to the iron barrel.

No, it's chromium plating. Hence the name.

 

[Spillikins]

I personally have never seen a factory barrel that was chrome plated, that doesn't mean that somebody didn't have it done but in over 30 years I've never seen one

Pedersoli does it.
https://www.davide-pedersoli.com/en/product/mortimer-pistol-percussion-model

 

[necchi]

No, it's chromium plating. Hence the name.

Do just a little looking friend,,, learn what chromyumy,, sitcks too
It's Ok,, we here for ya.

 

[sportster73hp]

Not sure about gun but when car parts are chromed the metal is polished copper plated ,polished, nickel plated, polished ,then chrome plated with a final polish.

 

[kyron4]

Not sure about gun but when car parts are chromed the metal is polished copper plated ,polished, nickel plated, polished ,then chrome plated with a final polish.

Yes, this is how we plated small parts many years ago. A chrome lined bore , such is common on most modern military rifles, is a hard chrome and uses a different process and is much ,much more durable and wear resistant.

I seem to remember Investarms made a Hawken/hunter style rifle for Cabalas with a chrome lined bore years ago.

 

[necchi]

quoted a deleted post.

That has enough experience to say that chrome can't be blued. I mean honest, try it.
(like nobody else has?)
Chromium doesn't stick to "iron".
Chrome plated iron, requires a nickel plating,
That aspect is not firearms related, it is universally known.
Motorcycles, Automobiles, Home appliances,, any that have had chrome applied to accent.
Tell us @Spillikins, how do we "blue" a "chrome-plated" barrel?
How is "iron" chromium plated?

 

[morehops52]

The quickest, easiest, and cheapest way would be to buy dark blue tinted glasses. Put them on before you pull your rifle out of the safe.

 

[Marplot]

Turned out my barrel is only highly polished steel that was so shiny i though it was chrome. So standard blue worked out. Very pleased with the outcome.

 

[SDSmlf]

Turned out my barrel is only highly polished steel that was so shiny i though it was chrome. So standard blue worked out. Very pleased with the outcome.

And now we ‘know’ how to blue a ‘chrome plated’ barrel. Question for you. Did you test a spot on the bottom of the barrel where it is hidden from view by the stock, or just jump in?

 

[waksupi]

I recall back nearly 50 years ago, a young fellow showed up at the Villa Louis Rendezvous, in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin with a chrome plated Thompson Center. Curly Gostomski called the young fellow over, and asked to look at the gun. Curly looked it over real careful, then asked the lad what he would take for it? He was named a price that was too high, but Curly went ahead and pealed off the money from his bankroll. He then walked off with the rifle, a curious crowd following. When he reached the bank of the Mississippi River, he took hold of the barrel, and threw it as far as he could out into the river. It's probably still buried in the mud out there. The young fella then knew the opinion of such things, and had a decent rifle after that.

Not disparaging the OP at all, just an event that took place at a rendezvous over the past years.

 

[Marplot]

I recall back nearly 50 years ago, a young fellow showed up at the Villa Louis Rendezvous, in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin with a chrome plated Thompson Center. Curly Gostomski called the young fellow over, and asked to look at the gun. Curly looked it over real careful, then asked the lad what he would take for it? He was named a price that was too high, but Curly went ahead and pealed off the money from his bankroll. He then walked off with the rifle, a curious crowd following. When he reached the bank of the Mississippi River, he took hold of the barrel, and threw it as far as he could out into the river. It's probably still buried in the mud out there. The young fella then knew the opinion of such things, and had a decent rifle after that.

Not disparaging the OP at all, just an event that took place at a rendezvous over the past years.

I understand his point. This guy did not like the chrome plated gun. Neither did I about my own gun.

When I first saw my pistol it first I was very unhappy because it looked like the barrel was chrome plated and did not like it at all! Not to throw it in my lake, but to put it in my attic, or put it back up for sale.

I like authentic and never saw a chrome plated gun except in honor guards in parades. My wife felt the same as it looked “over sanitized.” It certainly did not fit in my collection.

Some people want and even like very shiny weapons. But it certainly did not fit my other guns!

Was my "new" pistol chrome-plated or just polished steel? Let’s see!

I removed the barrel and tried some blue on the bottom that was covered by the wood, and a dark blue appeared with regular cold blue! I put on my nitrile gloves, picked up some acetone and carefully cleaned it and applied the blue and it was instantly worked and became beautiful! I applied some Bonanza Gold and the lettering popped out and we then loved it.

I am collecting original guns and my desire is to stop any rust or deterioration, clean, wax, polish and oil - preserve!