doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com How do I protect case colors on the receiver?

This is a tough one. It's been noted by Doc Gaddy and others that the colors reflected off an oil film change as the viewing angle changes, but color perception of case colors doesn't. It might also be supposed that fading of case colors may not come from wear, if wear can be assumed to be a decrease, change, in thickness of the reflective layer.

Folks keep calling this thin layer of case hardening color "stuff" an oxide, but I have never seen an actual chemical analysis of what it really is. I seriously doubt if it is an oxide. If you think about it, the colors you get seem to depend upon the composition of the pack which is mainly carbon. But it isn't pure carbon, or practitioners of the art would use as pure a carbon as possible, such as lampblack. Instead, they use secret or not-so-secret concoctions of bone charcoal, wood charcoal, charred leather, etc., so obviously, other elements are present in the pack, which is heated in a very oxygen deficient crucible. In fact, it appears that a longer exposure to the air during the dump from the crucible to the quench results in less vivid colors. And it is reported that the addition of a little potassium cyanide to the pack provides a greater range of colors. The Marlin Forum has a lot of great information on the process. But like any other internet source, I'd say that some of the information is myth and hearsay provided by folks who are too proud to admit there is a lot we still don't know.

http://www.marlin-collectors.com/forum/v...ae6aae3b599c144

Whatever this stuff is, we all know that it fades, because we've all seen faded case colors, and many try to do all they can to prevent such fading. But some guys don't like the looks of bright fresh case colors, and they will use an abrasive compound like Flitz to mute them somewhat. So we know for sure that fine abrasives can fade them. We also know that skin contact over time causes thinning or fading. This is most likely a combination of acidic or salty perspiration, and abrasive dirt and dust on the skin. I've also heard the anecdotal evidence that sunlight or UV light can fade the colors, yet the debate continues. Too bad someone like Turnbull didn't take several equal colored pieces about 30 years ago and keep one in the dark while exposing the others to various wavelengths and intensities of light to finally settle this question. I still marvel at how strong and vibrant the case colors are on my flintlock deer rifle despite the age and amount of use. I have never applied any sort of coating or wax other than a wipe of gun oil, but I also mainly use this gun in very cold and typically overcast weather. It has certainly been exposed to black powder residue, snow, and rain many times, but never to perspiration.

And to answer the question of whether oxides can oxidize, the answer is yes. We know this because that is what happens when bluing, which is an oxide of iron, turns brown or patina color. In that instance, the black colored ferro-ferric oxide which give our bluing its' color slowly turns to hydrated ferric oxide, Fe2O3.nH2O, also known as common red rust.

Nothing more than an expression of the appreciation of the guns that I have. Opinions or otherwise.

Dr Wanker has such a strong appreciation for guns that he supports and votes for anti-gun Liberal Left Democrats who do all they can to infringe upon the rights of law abiding gun owners. Brilliant!

It's pretty easy for him to have such a high opinion of himself though. With his head so far up his rectum, there is no one else around to compare himself with.

It's all good, Charles. Your input and experience is always worthy of consideration.
JR

Well dang, I certainly hate to here that. What's your source, Keith?
JR

Why, it was Dr. Wanker himself John. For years, he has always been a strong critic of pro-gun Republicans, and certainly bashes Trump on a regular basis. The insulting post he aimed in my direction earlier today invoked the current POTUS. But if he was ever nice to me, I'd consider myself a failure. The fact that he shows he's still thinking of me makes me smile. He also has frequent hissy-fits when any Conservative has something negative to say about his favored anti-gun Democrats. Any denial of the obvious support for anti-gunners by him is on par with that of Jagermeister. But Jagermeister was at least honest enough to admit to "proudly" voting for Obama twice.

Dr. Wanker asked me how I knew how he voted last year, and I gave him several such examples in his own words. His predictable response was to then pretend to IGNORE me. I say pretend because, like a number of our Libtard FUDD's who can't stand to have their noses rubbed in their own anti-gun choices for politicians, he has this amazing ability to respond to people he claims to be IGNORING. In other words, the self-proclaimed genius peeks. Look at LGF's statements beginning with his post # 500699 in the following thread to see how that process works. More proof that Liberalism is a mental disorder:

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=500099&page=14

By the way, I'd suspect that he applies his polyurethane to his case colors by the finger painting method... and then licks his fingers.

There is a downside to the "ignore" button. If a blocked comment is quoted then it can't be seen by the blocker function. As a consequence I notice from John's post just above that the tiny feeble demented misinformed delusional person that I blocked some time ago is still somehow obsessing with me. I suppose I should be flattered that I warrant such attention but considering the source that somehow doesn't happen. At any rate - knock yerself out, meathead. Ignorance has never deterred you in the past.

The very definition of ignorance is a gun guy who supports and votes for anti-gun Democrats... just like you do! Talk about literally shooting yourself in the foot. We all know why you decided to pretend to IGNORE me. You couldn't stand hearing the truth about yourself and other FUDD's. Glad to see that you're still thinking of me, as I noted earlier.

Try not to pop an aneurysm Dr. Wanker... Oprah needs your vote in 2020.