Bluing Prep

[bluetopper]

I've been sanding the rust and scratches off a S&W model 15 I recently bought and I'd like to know if all the bluing should be blasted/sanded off before I take it to my local smith for a hot blue job, or is it OK to leave the old bluing on in areas that are slick and flawless?

 

[dfariswheel]

Just leave it, IF the gunsmith is going to polish and blue it.

If all he's going to do is run it through the tanks, you'll need to get all the old blue off and get the metal polished or otherwise prepped.

 

[GunDoctor]

Ditto with the above comment.

 

[scrat]

Vinegar. Soak parts in vinegar all of the bluing will come off. I have used vinegar to de blue guns alot.

May take about an hour.
Before.

After

 

[GunDoctor]

You want to go that far you can just get toilet bowl cleaner. The bluing will just run off.

 

[GunTech]

Or buy blue and rust remover. Many sporting gods shops carry the Birchwood Casey brand.

 

[bluetopper]

WOW.........had no idea..........thanks.