AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: hortonstn on October 10, 2019, 01:53:18 AM

Title: Grey finish
Post by: hortonstn on October 10, 2019, 01:53:18 AM

Will the grey finish achieved with bc blue rubbed back last in normal use I like the look but don't want to have to redo after rifle is finished
Thanks

Title: Re: Grey finish
Post by: alex e. on October 10, 2019, 02:14:32 AM

Probably not,
With use,all metal finishes are temporary. I've worn browned and blued  barrels down to bare metal.
Locks are no different.   Sorry if it's not what you want to hear

Title: Re: Grey finish
Post by: hortonstn on October 10, 2019, 03:50:21 AM

Thanks I may just polish it problem is the sun sure makes it hard to shoot
I guess I could just shoot on cloudy days here in Missouri that happens a lot!,

Title: Re: Grey finish
Post by: Mauser06 on October 10, 2019, 04:01:50 AM

Finish it as you like.....then let nature take its course.

Title: Re: Grey finish
Post by: B.Barker on October 11, 2019, 09:22:04 PM

If you want a good durable grey finish use cold brown and card it before each new application. Once you get a nice even color on the last coat don't card. Drop the parts into water that is 180 degrees or a bit hotter until they turn black. Pull the parts out and rub them back to a grey color. You may need to quite aggressive to get it back to the color you want. I use green 3M pads soaked in WD40 to rub the parts back. This finish will hold up quite well and will not rub off.

Title: Re: Grey finish
Post by: Eric Krewson on October 12, 2019, 04:27:48 PM

Cold blue rubbed back looks great at first but will wear off quickly with use.

Title: Re: Grey finish
Post by: Bob McBride on October 12, 2019, 04:58:57 PM

I’m not sure what Brooks uses to grey his barrels but it holds up very well.

Title: Re: Grey finish
Post by: Pete G. on October 12, 2019, 06:04:45 PM

Try phosphoric acid, sold as rust remover.

Title: Re: Grey finish
Post by: Mike Brooks on October 12, 2019, 06:12:50 PM

Quote from: Bob McBride on October 12, 2019, 04:58:57 PM

I’m not sure what Brooks uses to grey his barrels but it holds up very well.

Very long and complicated process. Not for the faint of heart.

Title: Re: Grey finish
Post by: smokepole45cal on October 12, 2019, 07:16:13 PM

Or naval jelly... my only concern is how to safely dispose of the stuff

Title: Re: Grey finish
Post by: Craig Wilcox on October 14, 2019, 12:32:01 AM

Smokepole, Naval Jelly is mostly phosphoric acid, if I recall correctly.  Washing the part with a lot of water will dilute it satisfactorily so that it doesn't hurt your drain system.

Title: Re: Grey finish
Post by: hortonstn on October 15, 2019, 01:48:44 AM

Please describe the navel jelly process
Thanks