How to: Bluing Metal

Exposing the bare metal of a rifle, shotgun or handgun to the elements allows the steel or other material to oxidize or otherwise corrode. Several types of finishes protect the firearm from the harmful effects of the environment and keep metal safe. Painting or parkerizing the metal leaves a thin film over the surface. Case hardening heat treats the metal while applying a thin layer of high carbon steel. Bluing is a form of controlled oxidation that prevents harmful rust from forming. Hot bluing requires the services of a gunsmith with the right equipment. Cold bluing products allow do it yourself shooters to work on small bluing projects at home.

Things You'll Need

  • Several cloth rags
  • Steel wool
  • Birchwood Casey Cleaner-Degreaser
  • Birchwood Casey Blue and Rust Remover
  • Sponge
  • Birchwood Casey Perma Blue
  • Gun oil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean the firearm. Soak a corner of a cloth rag with the cleaner-degreaser and apply the solution to all of the exposed metal parts. Rinse the firearm with clean water and wipe dry with a clean cloth rag.

    • 2

      Strip the remaining bluing and rust. Soak the corner of another cloth rag with the blue and rust remover. Wipe all of the metal parts of the firearm. Allow the coating to set for two minutes. Lightly scrub the solution off with the steel wool to remove the remaining blue finish and any built up rust. Wipe the surface dry with another clean cloth rag.

    • 3

      Repeat step one to ensure that the entire surface of the metal is free from grease and the blue and rust remover solution.

    • 4

      Blue the firearm with the Perma Blue. Soak a corner of the sponge with the Perma Blue solution. Wipe all exposed metal with the solution. After one minute, rinse the metal off with cold water. Lightly polish the metal with the steel wool and apply another coat of the Perma Blue. The more coats of bluing, the darker the finish.

    • 5

      Coat the metal with a light film of gun oil to prevent rust. Allow the coating to cure for 24 hours.