How do hobby makers finish the metal?

[Old40Rod]

Browning - LMF browning/degreaser is cheap, easy and controllable. Wipe on, hang the parts in the bathroom and let the shower run on hot for a few minutes to steam things up. Rinse, card and repeat until you get what you want. 4-5 cycles works for me. Best tip - don't sand the metal too fine of a finish or it will take forever to brown. I have found around 180 grit works pretty well.

Blue - Rust blue using LMF browning/degreaser to brown, then immerse parts in boiling hot distilled water. Rinse, card, repeat. This process gives a nice durable blue finish in my experience. Basic method is described here: http://www.hobbygunsmith.com/Archives/Aug03/HowTo.htm. I have only had trouble getting a good rust blue going on a few small parts, but I kept at it.

 

[ericrutters]

im probabally going to catch flack for the breechloader pic but i did this on an old single shot take it down to bare metal with 400 grit and heat it with a hand held propane torch till its hot not red hot about 10 minutes ought to do then let it set for about a minute for the temp to equalize in the metal and wipe it with a thick rag soaked in clean 10w40 motor oil wait a few minutes and wipe it again then let it cool very simple and looks decent for all it takes to do i did this whole gun in less than a hour heres a befor and after sure wish i had that original stock

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[Black Hand]

The "heating to red" hot makes me VERY nervous. Can't say what it has done to the barrel....

 

[ericrutters]

do not heat to red hot im sure this would work on knives as well its the same principal as the fire burned altoid cans so many of us use

 

[Bill Hall]

Ivor Johnson? Had an old I.J. 16 guage that looks very similar. Bill

 

[ericrutters]

new york arms 12 ga also know as crescent arms i think the gun is pre 1920 the barrel is stamped genuine armory steel

 

[Zonie]

I'm allowing the gun for the moment because it is being used to show a method of producing a finish.

We don't discuss cartridge guns on the forum so please stick to the subject of finishes.

Thanks