[Tdmoparguy]

What is the easiest way to de-blue a gun? I have heard vinegar works good. How about removing color case hardening?

[mykeal]

Vinegar is a good way to remove blueing; simply put the parts in a zip lock plastic bag, pour in the vinegar, slosh it aroung to get it well distributed and wait about a half hour.

Color case hardening is difficult to remove if it was done by the original charcoal method. Chemically created color case hardening is only a few mils deep and can be removed by polishing compound, very fine steel wool or super fine wet sandpaper.

[Tomahawk674]

Vinegar works really well; someone here gave me a tip that you don't even have to submerge the piece entirely in it, but you could wrap it in soaked paper towels. I will say though, be ready to start working on the metal, because the metal will start rusting inmediatly, at least it has for me.

[Tdmoparguy]

Thanks for all the info. What can you put on the gun after I strip it to keep it from rusting?

[Ratdog68]

Thanks for all the info. What can you put on the gun after I strip it to keep it from rusting?
Blueing. :D

Ya gonna polish it up to be "in the white" ? A good oil on it will help.. but it's even more fussy about fingerprints not bein' on it too.

[BCRider]

Just a hint but perhaps a swish in some water with baking soda would neutralize any residual acetic acid/vinegar? Of course you want to flush it with copious amounts of hot water followed by a quick drying and some oil to avoid rusting. But the baking soda should neutralize any of the vinegar that is in the pores of the metal so the oil can do its work.

Color case is just oxide coloring so vinegar may well remove that as well. It's worth a try at least.

Both of these vinegar treatments will require that you wash the gun parts with an excellent de-greaser to remove any signs of oil first. Some grease and wax remover from an autobody supply outlet will do this nicely. You'll need to do more than one wipe. Actually a bit in a container and a brush to repeatedley wash the parts will be best. A fast transfer from the last "wash" to a quick rinse in hot water and then into the bag or bucket of vinegar is the best way to transfer it. No chance to evaporate and leave any traces of oil behind

[blackpowder bob]

I like to use naval jelly. Take the part outside, apply the naval jelly, wait a few minute and hose it off real good. Then oil it down.

[TomADC]

I bought a Wonder Blue kit,l it has a cleaner that when used with green scotchbrite removes bluing I'[m going to try it in the next couple of days to redo the barrel on my Zouve.
If it works as advertised I'll post it or if it doesn't.

[4v50 Gary]

What's wrong with the current blue finish that motivates you to remove and to refinish it with a cold blue?

[TomADC]

Its a kit that was cold blued 30+ years ago, its been sitting in a locker and really needs to be refinished, heard good things about Wonder Blue kits.

[Taurus 617 CCW]

Toilet bowl cleaner also works well but you need to make sure that you get it all cleaned off after you're done or it will corrode the metal. And of course a good ol' fashioned bead blast or hand polish works best.

[madcratebuilder]

Naval jelly works better than anything else I have tried. Wash it off in the sink, use a old tooth brush on the nooks and crannies.

[RSVP2RIP]

Krud Cutter Rust Remover in the large spray bottle for $14 at Ace Hardware in the cleaning section. It has the same stuff in it as Birchwood Casey's Blue and Rust Remover, only there is a quart of it for $14. Fast as heck, just don't have any other guns around it when you are spraying it.

[TomADC]

I like to use naval jelly. Take the part outside, apply the naval jelly, wait a few minute and hose it off real good. Then oil it down.

I used naval jelly, brushed it on heavy let it sit 10 minutes then used a piece of green scotchbrite, good rinse then lots of hot water, I now have a barrel back in the white.. Will blue it asap.

[scrat]

What's wrong with the current blue finish that motivates you to remove and to refinish it with a cold blue?
__________________

Everything. Use any metal polish. my favorite is mothers mag and wheel you can find it at auto parts stores. here are some pics of de blued and custom bluing i did myself. way better that oe blue

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/scratm3/Picture041.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/scratm3/Picture047.jpg

[scrat]

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/scratm3/Picture001.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/scratm3/4Apr-31.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/scratm3/Picture031.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/scratm3/Picture036.jpg