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Rust blue removal

laxcoachlaxcoach Member Posts: 1,296 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited July 2013 in Ask the Experts
In the not-too-distant past someone posted a question about the above, and received several responses on a quick and easy method as to how to accomplish this. I've searched for the link and can't find it. Does anyone recall the post and/or have suggestions? I recall that one suggestion was to use some kind of vinegar.
I just purchased a boxlock that has had the receiver blued (should be case colored), and I want to strip it off---just to get rid of the blue but not prep it for a re-case.

Comments

  • Bill DeShivsBill DeShivs Member Posts: 1,264 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There are far better chemicals to remove bluing.
    Evap-o-Rust, Birchwood Casey Blue and rust remover are two.
  • navc130navc130 Member Posts: 1,242 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Anything that contains acid will take bluing off. Naval Jelly works well, a boric acid solution, a muratic acid solution, vinegar. I have used all of them. The stronger the solution, the faster it acts. Acid also causes rust so the part must be scrubbed and flushed with water after the bluing is off.
  • victorj19victorj19 Member Posts: 3,642 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Naval Jelly +1
  • competentonecompetentone Member Posts: 4,696 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've found this WD-40 product to be quite effective in the limited applications I've used it:

    http://wd40specialist.com/products/rust-remover/

    It's not advertised for bluing removal, but in my experience it will remove bluing.
  • Toolman286Toolman286 Member Posts: 3,186 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I worked with a gunsmith for many years reblueing firearms. The secret to removing old blueing is Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner & OOOO steel wool. It removes the blueing like magic.
  • fordsixfordsix Member Posts: 8,554 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    phosphoric acid makes it disappear in seconds no scrubbing
  • laxcoachlaxcoach Member Posts: 1,296 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks to all.
  • Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,380 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:just to get rid of the blue but not prep it for a re-case.

    You are going to leave it naked steel?

    I have used a good deal of Evaporust on things like magazines and scope mounts salvaged after a house fire. It takes the rust and remaining blue off but leaves the steel a dull uneven gray color. It does not look like bare polished metal.

    My gunsmith uses Brownell's Steel White and parts come out similar to that.

    I tried vinegar, which is why I bought Evaporust, it did not work as well as I had expected from what I had read.
  • laxcoachlaxcoach Member Posts: 1,296 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes, I plan to leave it worn looking. It appears to have some remaining case color under the blue, so maybe I'll get lucky.
  • asphalt cowboyasphalt cowboy Member Posts: 8,904 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Since your intent is to leave the case color Brownells Steel White would be best.
    Anything caustic like vinegar or acid will remove the case color.
    Definitely Do Not scrub with anything harsher than burlap.
    Case color is delicate and right at the surface of the steel with no penetration.
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