Removing blueing

[barebackjack]

Is there some chemical out there that strips blueing?

I want to say there was a topic on a chemical that did a good job taking blueing off on this site, but cant for the life of me remember what it was called now.

Thanks much.

 

[Roy]

Naval Jelly :thumbsup:

 

[Goldhunter]

I believe Birchwood Casey makes a Blueing Remover. Naval Jelly also works.

 

[BlackNet]

blue and rust remover. you can also head to lowes/home depot and get a product called barkeeps friend. it does a smash up job on blue finishes. in fact you will see bare metal in no time if you clean with it. Learned that one the hard way.

Other things that will remove blue: blood, bead blasting.

 

[barebackjack]

Naval Jelly :thumbsup:

Thats it!!! :grin:

I thought it had "jelly" in the name.

Where can a guy get it?

And....blood? Are you serious?

 

[BlackNet]

Naval jelly, get it at home depot. least here you can. Yes I am serious about blood.

 

[Zonie]

Barebackjack
You should know that Naval Jelly will etch the surface of the steel if it is left on the surface for very long.
It will remove the blueing almost instantly so unless you want a matt finish I suggest washing it off as soon as the blueing is gone.

Birchwood Caseys Bluing remover and several others like it are much milder and will not damage the finish of the barrel.

 

[Freedom]

For a real nice antique look I have removed bluing by wetting paper towels in vinegar and just wrap them around the barrel for a while.. Then just wipe is off. This leaves a real nice patina finish.

It can take a few aplications but it sure made for a nice finish.

If you are looking to reblue then I don't know if this is what I would use.

 

[Roy]

Naval jelly, get it at home depot. least here you can. Yes I am serious about blood.

Most hardware stores and Car parts stores will carry it :thumbsup:

 

[barebackjack]

Thanks for the help fellas.

Perhaps ill try the birchwood caseys stuff first. This is actually to be done on the blued cams on a compound bow. The guy wants "bright" cams :youcrazy: go figure.

 

[Erzulis boat]

The Birchwood Casey bluing remover works fantastic.

It is fast, and any polished surfaces will not be molested. I have used it twice before, and have been VERY pleased.

IMO- Andrew B.

 

[Goldhunter]

:youcrazy: :shake:

 

[widget350]

I've got a Pedersoli pistol that came with a gold painted barrel, which is in need of refinishing (I don't think they intended it to be durable, just pretty). Will these rust/blue removers work on this as well?

 

[Zonie]

Although I hate to deviate from the subjects that are supposed to be talked about on this forum, before spending the money for Birchwood Caseys blue remover check those cams to make sure they are steel. Use a magnet.
I mention this because they may be hard anodized aluminum with a dark blue or black color.
If they are black anodized the BC rust remover won't do a thing.

 

[barebackjack]

Thanks Zonie, sent you a private message.

 

[Zonie]

barebackjack
I received it.

As the other folks here might have the same question I think they should hear my answer (just in case they are curious). :grin:

OK, it turns out that the cams are aluminum and they are anodized black.

Anodized aluminum has been treated to form a protective (often colored) layer of aluminum oxide on its surfaces.
This may be a very thin coating such as is used for decorative purposes or it might be a fairly thick coating, often called "hard anodizing".
The only real difference is the thickness.

Aluminum Oxide is very stable and there are no commercial cleaners that I'm aware of that will "desolve" or remove it.
The only way to remove it is to use a mechanical method such as machining, grinding or sanding.

Once removed, nature will cause the aluminum to combine with the oxygen in the air and reform a thin coating of aluminum oxide on the part.

OK. Now, did you know that at the top of the Washington Monument is a small 100 ounce trapezoid "capstone" that is made out of pure Aluminum?
When the monument was made, pure aluminum was so difficult to make in any quantity that the little trapezoid was worth a fortune!
As the monument was started in 1848 and finished in 1884 it runs past the time we talk about here on the Builders Bench so, enough said about aluminum.

Now, back to the muzzleloaders.

 

[LaBonte]

Barebackjack
You should know that Naval Jelly will etch the surface of the steel if it is left on the surface for very long.
It will remove the blueing almost instantly so unless you want a matt finish I suggest washing it off as soon as the blueing is gone.

Birchwood Caseys Bluing remover and several others like it are much milder and will not damage the finish of the barrel.

According to the MSDS for the two differnt products they both include Phophorics and Sulphuric acid in about the same amounts......

 

[user 13289]

Just let me take it too the woods--I can knock most of the bluing off and put a few dings in the wood without any effort at all.

Russ T. Stockdinger