Metal Finishes

Ok I will admit I am a big fan of browning the barrel and metal parts on a muzzleloader however I am putting one together for a friend and he is insisting on bluing the barrel and metal,any suggestions on what brand and methods to use to blue this thing(cold blue)...thanks

 

[paulvallandigham]

There's a good article on how to do cold bluing in the December issue of The American Rifleman magazine. I use a propane torch to heat the parts being blued after they are cleaned of all oils. I use a cotton swab, or even a Q-tip to put the compound on the parts. Then I spray them with oil, like Rem oil, or WD 40, to cool them, The oil burns but helps to darken the blue. I repeat this process several times over 3-5 days to get even bluing, and best holding results. Cold Blue does not seem to have the durability that Hot Blue does, but it can be repeated every year if needed, and more often, too. I have used cold blues to patch or deal with scratchs to hot blue finishes and have been able to match the colors successfully using the technique described above.

 

[jaguarxk120]

I've had good results using Birchwoos Casey browning solution. Heat the part in boiling water then apply the solution, let dry from the heat then return to the boiling water. You will get a very black finish, not brown. The heat and water turns the brown to black oxide. Repete the process several times till you get the proper shade. Oil with good rust preventave like Rig or referigeration compressor oil. The mineral oil not the new stuff used in cars. Good luck TF