Best way to Removing Bluing

Plinkin' Logs · Jul 17, 2020

Well I just got back from my LGS which got the Romanian TT-33c Tokarev shipped into from off of Brownells. Lucky me since I am from WA and this is a handgun, I get to wait 10 business days before I can pick it up. It had one weird "issue with the finish.

Normally the barrel is not blue, and is just steel left in the white. Weirdly mine looked like someone took a swab of Birchwood Casey cold blue and tried to blue the ejection port portion of the barrel when they apperently refinished the slide. It looks a little goofy like that as it is spotty and not full coverage of the port, and I know they are not supposed to look like that. I was contemplating using Burchwood Casey Blue and Rust remover, or something similar to take off this weird blued area on the barrel and get the barrel back to factory condition, but was afraid I would acid etch the barrel in the process. I honestly dont know how it came from the factory like that, but it's a surplus so who knows what history it had in Romania.

Anyway, how is best to remove bluing without etching it, or otherwise making it look funky? Will it always be slightly discolored (darker) even if the bluing is removed? Or should I just leave it alone?

Scooter22 · Jul 17, 2020

I,d probably leave it alone. I use white vinegar to remove bluing but it will etch if you leave it on too long.

AlexanderA · Jul 17, 2020

Naval Jelly works faster than vinegar. The same warning applies about leaving it on too long. The blue removal is virtually instant. Rinse with plenty of water.

entropy · Jul 17, 2020

Muriatic acid is the fastest way I know of, but it must be removed immediately, and you will have to polish well after. It also is highly corrosive, and you need gloves, an old long-sleeved shirt, an apron, and plenty of ventilation.

Kp321 · Jul 17, 2020

Just polish it off. Use 400 grit emery cloth shoe shine fashion.

rangervoss · Jul 17, 2020

Yes to vinegar and muriatic acid/water mix. I have left parts on 100% vinegar over night and have had no etching to speak of. The muriatic is definitely more powerful but if you rinse in water after you will have no problems. Either way it's not like your bbl is going to dissolve in a matter of minutes and if you are going to blue it afterwards you will need to buff the metal anyways. Do it!

SGW Gunsmith · Jul 18, 2020

A soft wire wheel with bristles around 0.005 in diameter will shed the bluing and shine up that area a bit. Every "tinkerer" needs to have a bench grinder handy, and it will serve you very well.

Obturation · Jul 18, 2020

Maybe just rub it with a lead remover cloth, it would be the cheapest and least abrasive but should 5ake the blue off easily. Then you can use the cloth for cleaning stainless guns or cut patches for barrel cleaning, works great. And they're cheap.

Megawatt maker · Jul 18, 2020

You can use the Birchwood casey stuff. Just follow the directions and rinse it off well. Its mild, but it works.

I ve used it plenty...strips blue right off, no etching or damage done.

Tom-R2 · Jul 18, 2020

I've used Naval Jelly without issues too. Don't let it sit very long. Then make sure you really clean it well and prepare the surface before refinishing. A good soak in acetone just before refinishing will help keep fingerprint oils and other contaminants off the surface.

Johnm1 · Jul 19, 2020

Brownells sell something called 'Steel White' that is supposed to remove bluing and not attack the steel.

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...finish-surface-prep/steel-white-prod1084.aspx

"Neutral, Non-Toxic- Contains No Hazardous Components
Effectively removes heavy rust, scale and bluing without damaging your expensive firearms or parts, because it attacks the rust, not the base metal."

Best way to Removing Bluing

Plinkin' Logs

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Scooter22

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AlexanderA

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entropy

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Kp321

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