Bluing for gun: what is it and how to do it

Due to intensive use, the protective layer that covers the parts of any weapon is actively removed. Usually, this process is fraught with the development of corrosion, which gradually destroys metal components and can ultimately lead to the failure of the weapon at the most inopportune moment. To prevent possible breakdowns, gun bluing is provided – a special procedure that helps to restore the appearance and eliminate damage. It received this name because it ensures the chemical transformation of ordinary rust into black iron oxide. This substance covers weapons with a thin layer and protects against unwanted oxidation processes. Bluing for gun can be performed by professional craftsmen, but if desired, known methods can be mastered on your own. Let’s try to understand in more detail what weapon bluing is by studying known technologies.

Hot bluing for gun

This method is considered the most expensive and painstaking, but it allows you to form the most durable protective layer and restore the original appearance. The work is carried out in the following sequence.

• Before bluing for pistol, it is completely disassembled, and the parts that do not need to be processed are set aside.
• Using a fine abrasive and then any active chemicals, clean by immersing in a bath for 15-20 minutes. After completing the procedure, the parts must be rinsed under running water.
• Prepare a mixture that includes potassium nitrate and sodium hydroxide. The caustic composition must be heated to 140-160 ° C. The parts to be processed are immersed in a bath with a reagent for 20-30 minutes. You can track how the bluing for gun is going visually by the change in the color of the metal.
• Thoroughly rinse the parts in cold water and then dry them in the open air for 3 minutes.
• To completely remove any chemical reagent residue, the finished products should be boiled in water for 15-20 minutes.

To protect the resulting coating, the treated components are immersed in an oil bath and left there until completely cooled.

Cold bluing of weapons

This method is more suitable for home conditions, but it will not provide high resistance to corrosion, similar to hot bluing. However, with proper care, this method guarantees the weapon an excellent appearance and no traces of rust.

At the initial stage, the weapon or its parts are cleaned with fine-grained sandpaper and washed. The technique does not require mandatory heating, but it is better to carefully heat the parts in the oven or with a hair dryer to get a more reliable coating.

For bluing, a special solution is used, which can be purchased on marketplaces or at retail outlets. It covers the parts or areas that you want to bluing. If necessary, repeat the procedure until the desired result is achieved.

The final treatment is carried out with gun oil, which is then carefully removed with dry rags. The greatest effect is achieved by repeated application with cotton swabs or discs, followed by removing the previous layer.

Chemical bluing

A method of bluing a gun barrel that is not entirely suitable for home conditions involves using a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acid. The bath with the solution and the parts being processed are placed in a fume hood and kept for 12 hours. After that, they are boiled in distilled water to remove the remaining products of the chemical reaction. The final treatment is carried out with gun oil.