Blueing stainless?

[jmoore]

While I continue to "search" the forum archives - I'll try a quick post.

I ended up replacing the IL with "the plug" on my model 22 .45 acp. I had to use a stainless plug at the time - though a blued one is on the way. Just out of curiosity - is there a cheap & easy way to "blue" the stainless plug? Not looking for a great match - just something that doesn't stand out as much. FWIW - the whole gun is going off soon to Coal Creek Armory to be parkerized. I've already tried a variety of blueing marking pens - that comes off quite easily.

When I send it off to be parked - I'll swap out for the blue plug, as I think stainless can't be parkerized. For now - just wondering if the stainless can be darkened easily.

Any & all info greatly appreciated.

john

 

[38-44HD45]

Many years ago, I blued the blade of a stainless Gerber boot knife. I heated the blade in boiling water and applied Brownell's Oxpho Blue. The result is not a deep blue or black, but it seems to be durable. Not every stainless alloy will turn with Oxpho Blue, but I know of folks who have used it on some gun stainless steels. Might try dropping your Plug in a boiling water bath for a bit, then applying some Oxpho Blue.

 

[MMA10mm]

The above answers your question completely, but I'd only add that S&W made a blued 686 back in the late 80s. Called 'em "Black Beauties". (Can't believe that made it by the PC-police, even then...) They were fairly limited production. I bought one and carried it on duty at the Sheriff's Office where I worked, so it's a little worse for wear now, but it still shoots like gold.

I have no idea what "bluing" system S&W used on them, but it was a good one. I know some people reported poor wear ability, but even with the in-and-out of the holster that police service gave it for five years, I didn't think the bluing was "weak" at all.

 

[m1gunner]

Norell's moly resin would work. Pick the color you want and have at it.

 

[IraIII]

I tried to blue a stainless magazine disconnect for a Beretta 92. First I tried Van's bluing, did not change color. I then tried Birchwood Casey paste, it worked well. I got a close match to the Beretta, and no problems with wear off.

 

[TAROMAN]

Stainless cannot be blued by traditional methods. From what I have seen, much blued stainless is actually a black chrome finish.

If I wanted one blacked out, I would opt for something like GunCoat.

 

[kscardsfan]

Since blued steel is actually a controlled rusting of the surface, stainless by definition can't be blued. But I have seen various coatings etc work just fine on it, although I have never heard of the oxpho blue/hot water bath method being used before. Now I have something new to try when I get home lol.

 

[2152hq]

Brownells has been selling a hot bluing salt compound made specificly for blueing stainless steel (and cast iron,,,& newer Winchester 94 receivers) for some years now. Probably similar products available from others also.

Same basic process as the hot salt blueing used for carbon steel with a few added steps and some temp and time differences. Some experimentation is needed to get it to give the desired results. It's not easy to use like regular hot salt blueing compounds especially if you're running different stainless alloys.

Stainless steel is actually rust resistant steel,,some more so than others depending on the alloy.

Some shops that do alot of hot blueing may also run the stainless bluing tanks. Not many do though as there isn't a large demand for it and it takes it's own dedicated set up.

 

[keith44spl]

Blued or black oxided stainless

Well now fellers, I been usin' 'em for years...Thought everyone knew about it.

A couple of stainless Colts that have been black oxided, the Defender I've carried daily for almost 9 or 10 years.

If'n I was gonna have the revolver re-finished later I wouldn't worry to much about the 'spot'. But that's just me talkin' here.

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[kscardsfan]

Brownells has been selling a hot bluing salt compound made specificly for blueing stainless steel (and cast iron,,,& newer Winchester 94 receivers) for some years now. Probably similar products available from others also.

Same basic process as the hot salt blueing used for carbon steel with a few added steps and some temp and time differences. Some experimentation is needed to get it to give the desired results. It's not easy to use like regular hot salt blueing compounds especially if you're running different stainless alloys.

Stainless steel is actually rust resistant steel,,some more so than others depending on the alloy.

Some shops that do alot of hot blueing may also run the stainless bluing tanks. Not many do though as there isn't a large demand for it and it takes it's own dedicated set up.

Whats the name of the product? This sounds like a wonderful product if it can make the parts look "blued", especially for me since I basically hate the way stainless looks lol.

 

[hotblue]

Hot Blue Stainless Steel

2152hq is correct. I've been blueing stainless for a long time. If you want to try it, Brownells Oxynate 84 will do the job, or the brand I use is Du-Lite. Temperature control is more critical than with carbon steel, and the setup, steps and tanks are a lot more work. You can download the instructions from Brownells.
I still do Winchester 94's between 2,770,000 and 5,024,957 (1964-81) with the same salts, but most of us refinishers now recommend Gun Kote as it is a pretty close match, turnaround time is faster, and it costs a lot less.