Anyone have some before/after bluing pics ???

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Thanks for the great info, StPatrick. Learned something new. Or at least un-learned something old.

I do use Gunscrubber occasionally, but haven't used it for degreasing. Might try that.

I recalled denatured alcohol from long ago as a teen reading that it was nasty stuff to be careful with. I recalled it as being mostly methanol, but apparently that is not true today. Maybe it was mostly ethanol back in the 1950's too. This wikipedia article says that denatured alcohol can contain methanol among other things, but is mostly ethanol as you say. Doh. I thought denatured alcohol was near-pure methanol.

Denatured alcohol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article on methanol might have a hint about why it might be good to prepare aluminum--

Methanol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

One of the potential drawbacks of using high concentrations of methanol (and other alcohols like ethanol) in fuel is its corrosivity to some metals, particularly aluminium. Methanol, although a weak acid, attacks the oxide coating that normally protects the aluminium from corrosion:

So maybe methanol would be just the thing to knock off the oxide coating and make it easy for aluminum black to do its thang?

At least I remembered correctly that methanol is a chemical to respect--

Toxicity

Methanol has a high toxicity in humans. If ingested, as little as 10 mL can cause permanent blindness by destruction of the optic nerve and 30 mL is potentially fatal,[9] although a fatal dose is typically 100–125 mL (4 fl oz). Toxic effects take hours to start and effective antidotes can often prevent permanent damage. Because of its similarities to ethanol (the alcohol in beverages), it is difficult to differentiate between the two (such is the case with denatured alcohol).

[Dolomite_supafly]

The Brownells Oxphoblue Creme I mentioned earlier works so well because it is a slower acting blue. With most of the cold blues out there they are fast acting and make it difficult to get an even finish. The Brownells stuff takes a little longer ot work but it seems to provide a darker finish. It also doesn't evaporate, dry out, liquify or run like most other cold bluing products.

I have used it a lot over the last few years and have been very happy with the results. This gun was done with the Brownells Oxpho-Blue Creme. It has held up well. Any splotches is because of the oil on it. These were taken shortly after the gun was blued so it was still soaking up the oil in the blasted surface.

Anyways, here are the pictures, enjoy:

Front sight:

A few views:

Rear sight:

Sight picture:

BTW, it is a 45 ACP bolt gun I built for my wife.

Dolomite

[StPatrick]

At least I remembered correctly that methanol is a chemical to respect--

I would avoid using methanol unless absolutely necessary. One of the things that may not have been mentioned in the Wiki is that methanol (aka Methyl Alcohol or MeOH) exposure has chronic effects - exposure to even small amounts over time can cause deterioration of vision, as MeOH loves the optic nerves, and for whatever reason, the body isn't effectively able to remove it from the fatty sheath that surrounds nervous tissue. If you have other options available, use them first.

Just to reiterate, stay away from it, my man. An occasional degreasing or surface prep puts you at very low risk for chronic issues, but why invite trouble into your house if you don't have to?

Just a friendly reminder for others who may not have given as much thought to this topic as Lester: chemicals commonly used to strip grease or prime metal will F you up proper if precautions are not taken. Be as safe in your refinishing as you are in your shooting, or let the professionals do it for you. If it strips grease, it can pull the fat out of your skin, which is bad, painful, and potentially disfiguring. If it attacks metal surfaces, your skin won't like that either. At all.

[/soapbox off]

[Mike.357]

I don't have any pics but have used this stuff called Van's Instant Gun Blue. Bought it from a guy who was doing gun shows.

Gun Bluing Made Easy With Van's Instant Gun Blue!

I used it first off on a F&N 1905 vest pocket pistol that was in gawd awful shape when I bought it. And have since used it on all kind of pieces that could use some touching up. The stuff is really good. Follow the instructions and it is really simple.

the pieces I have touched up look great too. I do not believe anyone can tell they have been worked on.

[Guest GunTroll]

I would avoid using methanol unless absolutely necessary. One of the things that may not have been mentioned in the Wiki is that methanol (aka Methyl Alcohol or MeOH) exposure has chronic effects - exposure to even small amounts over time can cause deterioration of vision, as MeOH loves the optic nerves, and for whatever reason, the body isn't effectively able to remove it from the fatty sheath that surrounds nervous tissue. If you have other options available, use them first.

Just to reiterate, stay away from it, my man. An occasional degreasing or surface prep puts you at very low risk for chronic issues, but why invite trouble into your house if you don't have to?

Just a friendly reminder for others who may not have given as much thought to this topic as Lester: chemicals commonly used to strip grease or prime metal will F you up proper if precautions are not taken. Be as safe in your refinishing as you are in your shooting, or let the professionals do it for you. If it strips grease, it can pull the fat out of your skin, which is bad, painful, and potentially disfiguring. If it attacks metal surfaces, your skin won't like that either. At all.

[/soapbox off]

Well said!