Pros and cons of bluing

[Snaggletooth]

Im trying to find whis the better of bluing or Parkerizing. Ive used paste with some success. I want to do a double barrel. Would a plastic container work for the parkerizing, Im sure someone has used both methods.

 

[Jaymo]

Parkerizing requires less heat than hot bluing.
Parkerizing is much better for rust prevention, PROVIDED you oil it. The phosphate coating that is parkerizing is not what prevents rust.
Parkerizing absorbs and holds oil, which prevents rusting. That's why it's used for military guns.
That, and it's easier to do well, and doesn't require polishing beforehand.

Parkerizing is one of my favorite finishes, because it holds oil so well.

High polish bluing, like Colt's Royal Blue, is gorgeous.
Parkerizing is more practical.

Parkerizing can be done on a kitchen stove.
Hot bluing requires about 285-315 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

[martysport]

Parkerizing can be done on a kitchen stove.

So can hot bluing

I've re-blued an 1860 barrel and cylinder along with an 1858 cylinder and Marlin 25N bolt

 

[4v50 Gary]

I think parkerizing is a more durable finish. Polished Blue is prettier.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Parkerizing can be done on a kitchen stove.


So can hot bluing

It CAN be but it isn't a very good idea. I've done hot salt bluing since the late 1970s and I can assure you that this is not something you want to do in your house.

 

[Snaggletooth]

Thanks for the infornation.. Ive got one project gun and may have another. One is a 12 ga. shotgun from a kit that was advertised as "new, out of the box, never been fiter." It should have read, never been finished. Oh well, live and learn

 

[Nappers]

I prefer browning, the shiny of a muzzleloader barrel plays games with my eyes and the browning I can see the sights just wonderful (with my prescrip glasses mind you!)

 

[CraigC]

As stated, contrary to popular misconception, parkerizing is not more corrosion resistant than bluing all by itself. Its claim to fame is that it holds oil, a lot of it.

 

[BCRider]

Parkerizing is more for modern stuff. Also I find that while it's quite durable for protecting the underlying metal it DOES mark easily so the surface soon has a random scuffed look from all the burnish marks.

For my firearms which I want to enjoy looking at I far and away prefer a lovely moderate sheen blueing or browning. Far more traditional in the old world sense. But if I were out for a WWII military like 1911 or something of that sort it woud be parkerized all the way.