Slow rust blacking

[Peter Dunkley]

I think the solution you are talking about is a mixture 50/50 nitric/hydrochloric and you dissolve black iron nails in it until they stop dissolving. You then filter it clean, paint it on and let it rust.
You will get different recipes which will give different results.

Its sounds to me like youre trying to find 'the best' recipe to fast track to bluing your barrels. In my opinion you should get some acid and fet bluing a few times before you start on your barrels. Theres more to the process than just the right recipe.

Preperation is the absolute key. But ambient temperature and humidity can gave a huge effect as well. I was doing a barrel once and ibhad one rust day where the humidity must have wentbup or something, but that rust deeply etched my barrel. Only comeback was to completely start again - i didnt and i ended up with a satin sheen blue

Partly true. I read that there are pitfalls and all I want to do is cut down the variables, so a tried and tested solution formula takes out one variable. it seems from your very helpful replies that there is not one. Not without Nitric.

[RichardH]

The metal salts (Chlorides) are more significant than the acid in terms of the reaction, if you really want to play around with Nitric acid you can get it here

https://www.chemicals.co.uk/nitric-acid

You could also but a ready to use "proper" slow rust blue compound here which would start you off.

https://www.blackleyandson.com/acata...or_Metals.html

It is all in the pre and post treatments though

Practice on a few scrap guns first

[Peter Dunkley]

Thanks guys for all the sensible advice I now have all the info I need. I do realize it's a long road but I am keen to have a go. I of course do have a few scrap barrels.
Thanks again.

[deejayuu]

The brick acid method. Simple and effective methinks
Pics tomorrow

[Peter Dunkley]

The brick acid method. Simple and effective methinks
Pics tomorrow

I look forward to them.

[T 20]

I look forward to them.

Hi Peter

If you nip over to the Boinger bash this coming weekend you can look at a couple of examples I've fume blued.

We're only 25 minutes further than Melbourne.


All the best Mick

[Peter Dunkley]

Thanks. Lovely offer but I am busy most of the weekend.
Thanks anyway.

[Dicklee]

Ferric chloride 1 part
Alcohol 8 parts
Rainwater or de-ionised water 8 parts - all by weight.

Apply a thin coat with a dampened sponge. Heat work to 37 degrees C in a closed container with steam, (I use a plastic drain pipe connected to a wall paper steamer) until a thin rust forms. Boil in water for fifteen minutes, brush off loose oxide, repeat until the desired finish is obtained.

Ferric chloride is used for etching copper circuit boards, and may be bought on .

[hareng]

Theres also far quicker cold blacking/rusting solutions takes around an hour with 7 paint on passes and cleanups, good enough for Purdeys and the like. Only downside is would have to buy gallons and prove responsible.
All quality guns are soft soldered not brazed, they will come apart by 150 degrees hot blacking.