[skeet hound]

Anyone out there that does this as a more permanent solution to bluing? I shoot in all sorts of weather and have been led to believe this might be a good alternative. What effect if any wouldthe chroming process have on soldered ribs? Thank you in advance.

[Shipwreck]

Realize that black chrome is not the same as hard chrome - black chrome is not scratch resistant at all.

[dfariswheel]

The chroming should have no effect on the ribs.

One point you may want to consider: Black Chrome is NOT a "hard chrome", it's strictly a decorative finish that's no more durable or tough then common bright nickel plating.
Also, like bright nickel, black chrome is usually a very shiny finish.

There are any number of good finishes for you to investigate, running from real hard chrome in it's original satin dull gray, to stainless-look hard chrome, to the newer polymer "paint" finishes, to the new "ceramic" finishes.

These polymer and ceramic finishes come in many colors and levels of gloss.
You could even do one of the gun coating finishes yourself.
Brownell's sell several good ones, one that needs to be baked on in a kitchen oven, to one that needs no baking and is a self-curing epoxy finish.

[skeet hound]

Thank you for the informative lesson. I have been using Blue Wonder on the barrel for the past couple of years since a heavy rust incident. It works fine for about 6 months, then I always need to re-blue.

The spray-on Brownells products seem like they would be easy to use. Any experience on how well they how hold up in the weather?

[dfariswheel]

Depending on what you buy and how well you prep the metal and apply the finish, these coatings are VERY durable.

Brownell's sell several, one of which is baked on in the kitchen oven, and one that air cures over a period of a week or so to full hardness.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/catsearch.aspx?c=751&p=4798

The Aluma-Hyde and Aluma-Hyde II appear to be the best.

The Lauer "Guncoat" system just may be the best of them all. It comes in almost any conceivable color, and has one of the best reputations there is.
They sell everything form the actual coating to complete application kits including an inexpensive air brush. All you need extra is compressed air.

http://www.lauerweaponry.com/

Foreign militaries found out long ago, that one one the most durable and long lasting gun finishes is paint.

[Big Az Al]

I grew up around refinishing, ie rebluing, plus have some time in at a couple plating shops.

The cold blue products are, to me anyway, fairly hard to nuatralize to the point that they do not encourage rust.

Black chrome is chrome plating, every shop around here gave up on it 40 years ago. Reasons: it is not a durable finish, and they had to many people coming back with no longer black pieces, and add that to the fact that the fumes alone would discolor every plated piece that they could get to and it was a headache they really did not want.

Nickle is as durable as anything, but if you think it is impervious, you will soon find little blisters showing, these are actually rust craters that if not taken care of will ruin the piece.

I think the jury is still out on the teflon and polymer coatings. That is, If you say it's ........... and leave it to it's own time the gooppers will get at it and make you sorry! But if you take the time to care for a firearm whether it is blued, plated or otherwise coated with something, you will have a fine firearm for a lifetime.

And it is difficult to rust thru parkerizing, or for that matter rust Stainless steel, but it is not impossible, so take the time to take care of your firearms and they will give you and your childrens children joy and good service!