Cold Blue Solutions?

[Lock Nut]

Anyone try any of the cold blue solutions?
Such as Danglers cold blue or formula 44/40.
Not looking for the modern gun blue look.
I'd like to see the results of how they turn out if any one has tried the stuff.
Thanks

 

[don hepler]

I have used about every cold bluing, and with a wide variety of results. Brownells Oxpho, is the easiest, and after oiling, does not have the tendency to rust. 44/40 is the strongest cold bluing, that I have ever used, however, it is very aggressive, and if not totally neutralized, it will rust, big time. You can steel wool and achieve a worn gray patina, but not a modern blue look. There are a lot of youtube videos on the subject. Larry Poterfield at Midway, has some good videos. I took some scrap metal and did a lot of testing. what I learned, is, you better keep an eye on anything you do, for several days. You might be surprised, to find it badly rusted. I'm not trying to scare you into not using it. But be aware of what can happen. Don't cold blue something, and stick it in a gun vault, and go back after several days. You'll know within hours.

 

[don hepler]

Not a good photo, but maybe you can get a n idea.

 

[Vaino]

I use 44/40 cold blue to age brass and just finished "graying" a bbl. Apply the 44/40 for a length of approx. 6" to one end of the bbl and immediately rub the area w/ 0000 steel wool and move on to the next 6". It was so easy and the results were excellent. Another alternative to browning......Fred

 

[Vaino]

Here's couple of pics showing the "graying....Fred

 

[Lock Nut]

Thanks for the replies.
Fred, Are you applying 44/40 after browning the barrel first?

 

[Vaino]

Hi....if an aged look is wanted, a prolonged browning causing pits and/or a deep matte finish should be achieved, the browning is then removed w/ steel wool or green Scotchbrite leaving the pits/matte finish and then the 44/40 is applied as in my first post. I didn't want an aged look on this bbl, so just applied the 44/40 w/o first browning. Might be too smooth and shiny for some.....Frd

 

[fusil de chase]

Fred, could you describe your brass aging technique using 44/40. I have a bottle and loathe bright brass.

 

[Vaino]

Apply 44/40 till black and then when still a litle bit wet, steel wool using 0000 to suit. I prefer to have the nooks and crannies of say a trigger guard kinda black....simulates years of dirt and grime deposits. Does a nice job of it. I too don't like shiny brass....Fred

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have used a lot of Brownell's Oxphyo blue over the years. Applied with 0000 steel wool it does a nice job. But no cold blues are durable. IMHO, they are dress up for older guns only. I used to use it for guns I took in trade when I had my gun shop.

 

[Lock Nut]

Well that's interesting. I picked up a bottle of Danglers Cold blue but haven't tried it yet. I assumed it worked just like your typical cold browning solution without having to boil in distilled water to get the bluing color.
So your saying it doesn't get good adhesion and build up like a cold brown and rub off easily?

 

[Rifleman1776]

Well that's interesting. I picked up a bottle of Danglers Cold blue but haven't tried it yet. I assumed it worked just like your typical cold browning solution without having to boil in distilled water to get the bluing color.
So your saying it doesn't get good adhesion and build up like a cold brown and rub off easily?

I can't comment on "adhesion". I just know it wears off fairly quickly with handling. Definitely not permanent like hot blued.

 

[fusil de chase]

Apply 44/40 till black and then when still a litle bit wet, steel wool using 0000 to suit.

Well that sounds easy enough. Thanks.