Oxpha Blue

[mukwah]

Working on a Marlin '74 Model 336 30/30 Lever action. It had sparse rust on barrel and action that I cleaned off with steel wool and lots of CLP.
Got Oxpha Blue coming from Brownells next day or two. Not sure if I should spot blue, blue all as is, or strip all bluing and reblue. Any advice?

 

[zac_christy]

I stripped a Remington 512 and reblued with the Oxpho Blue Looks as good as any of my other rifles. Take your time and follow the instructions to a T. The better you prep the metal, the better it will look after you have finished.

 

[beag_nut]

+1 to what zac said. I did three rifles with Oxpho Blue and cannot recommend it highly enough. My best results were when I prepped the metal with several grades of "Scotchbrite" pads, like an old-time shoe-shine action.

 

[N.Schafer]

To touch up, it works ok. It is not a long term solution, nor is it very durable. It is cheap though. So it depends on what you are looking for in a finish.

 

[788Ham]

Use 0000 steel wool and light oil to take the rust off. This is finer than any ScothBrite pad, won't leave those fine scratch marks. As mentioned earlier, just use the Oxpho for small touch up spots, difference in steel on some parts will take the chemical differently! Won't look like a well done job. YMMV

 

[mukwah]

To touch up, it works ok. It is not a long term solution, nor is it very durable. It is cheap though. So it depends on what you are looking for in a finish.

Next to a hot blue job what do you think is the best DIY blue? It costs about $10 for 4 oz.

 

[beag_nut]

If one has the money to pay a gunsmith to do the blueing, go for it. Or, perhaps the cost of the equipment and time to learn to do it yourself?
No, then Oxpho-Blue is the way to go. It IS durable, on my guns.
Also, "Scotchbrite" comes in grades even finer than any steel wool. Currently the finest grade is an off-white color, and available from many woodworking tool suppliers (try Lee Valley, Woodcraft, etc.). That grade is so fine that you won't even notice the difference from the next coarsest grade, which is still finer than 0000 steel wool. I am a retired furniture-maker.
And follow the label directions, not what anyone else says.

 

[N.Schafer]

I am a professional gunsmith. I have seen guns come in that have been completely cold blued. There is just no comparison to hot salt bluing in either durability or look.

Slow rust bluing can be done at home with patience. It generally looks bluer rather than the black of hot bluing.

Another DIY finish would be one of the spray-and-bake finishes. If its going to be hunting rifle, have some fun and customize it with different colors and patterns. Blaze orange with blue polka-dots or something