I picked up a worn pre 10 at a gunshow as a project gun. After much effort, I have removed the peeling nickel plating entirely. The steel underneath is smooth but with stained areas where the plating had been missing/worn. A hand burnish with 000 steel wool has it smooth.
As this is a first effort, I am wondering what finish options are available, inexpensive, and practical. Blueing would be within my abilities but the cost of the salts is too much for one handgun, and I would probably have to do much more polishing to remove the stains. I could do that, but will not if necessary.
I am seeking advice for a durable finish that I can apply. I have no concerns for anything but practicality, but I want something more professional than paint. It will probably reside in my truck, and probably carried only during hunting season loaded with snake shot to save a better firearm from the brambles and weather.
The B9 nickel remover from Caswell worked well, but much slower than advertised. Probably 12 hours total in the tank at 140 degrees. I would recommend it, as it did work well. The solution was spent after one firearm, not the 3 advertised. But I only needed to do one.
As this is a first effort, I am wondering what finish options are available, inexpensive, and practical. Blueing would be within my abilities but the cost of the salts is too much for one handgun, and I would probably have to do much more polishing to remove the stains. I could do that, but will not if necessary.
I am seeking advice for a durable finish that I can apply. I have no concerns for anything but practicality, but I want something more professional than paint. It will probably reside in my truck, and probably carried only during hunting season loaded with snake shot to save a better firearm from the brambles and weather.
The B9 nickel remover from Caswell worked well, but much slower than advertised. Probably 12 hours total in the tank at 140 degrees. I would recommend it, as it did work well. The solution was spent after one firearm, not the 3 advertised. But I only needed to do one.