doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Rust Bluing ,I have a question.

guys,thanks for all the tips.I think i am going to get a couple of old barrell and try some different things.also i have another question.the water in the boiling tank.should it be changed every time or it ok to use it dirty.what i mean is after it builds up film and yuk.Is it ok to just keep adding water to it or should it be changed.

also,what would be a good rpm to step up to to get a better carding after the first coats a lower rpm,s .

If the water gets too dirty change it,...I usualy use the same water through one set of bbls...rpm is relevant to your set up and the carding wheel you use, try and see what works best for you

CJ

thanks cj,thats a great looking set of barrels on that holland and holland.i love the shine.would you mind give a play by play and go through what you did to get the look you did.

One other comment; All "Water" is not created equal. When I was doing most of my bluing I was out in the boonies & had spring water. I simply could not get a satisfactory blue using this water. Had to buy the bottled water as used for steam irons. I have no idea what affect most "City" waters would have on the process, others can probably answer this, but may not be compatable.

In Oregon I ran the water right out of the tap, which made it easier to change water frequently.
In MT I use distilled bottled water & change when I need to.
Some collect and use rain water.

A lot of city water companies use copper sulplate to control algae in water impoundments in warmer months. I have noticed that a small amount of copper in my pickling acid that I use to clean rusty parts and old tools will actually leave a visible plating without electric current. I have read warnings about using city water with trace copper sulphate in the hot bluing process, and that is essentially a much accelerated formation of black oxides. So if it causes spotting or other problems in the fast process, it's likely to affect the slow rust process. I have well water but use rain water. Midway through a long rain, after most dust and bird poop is rinsed off the roof, divert a downspout into a large container.

There is a fifty gallon plastic drum outside my shop right under the eves downspout,even though I'm on a well that's all I ever use,... when winter comes I let it freeze solid and then roll it inside the shop, when it thaws I have enough water for the whole winter

CJ

Most rust bluing solutions have copper sulphate added, that's what stains the freshly coated metal a light blue or green to let you know what's been covered.
Although it's raining here at the moment, with less than 12" annual average, it's hardly worth collecting.

I collect and use the central a/c condensate water. It's works well for me but I've seen it written of some having problems with copper in the water since it comes off the copper coils in the a/c. Can't use the water out of the tap here,,too many chemicles in it. Natural spring water would at first thought be an excellent choice but when you consider the amount of dissolved minerals in it, you can forsee the problems. Though I do know one fellow that claims he has excellent luck with it, so it's a 'try it and see' type of situation I guess.
Change the water when it or if it becomes dirty/contaminated. At some point thru the process, the rust isn't turning over to blu/black quite right leaving a hint of red in it,,time to change it of course. If you do get a mineral or dirty water streak on the tubes, try taking it off before you card them with a clean cloth wet with clean boiling water. That will alot of times remove it. You can't card it away.

Steve, you're absolutely right that many rust bluing solutions contain copper sulphate. And I've also heard that you can detect a cold blue touch up by sniffing or even tasting?? for the copper due to the copper sulphate in most cold blues. P.S. I don't know how I missed the fact that you have a new (2007) book, "Double Guns and Custom Gunsmithing", but I will make room for a copy in my library. Keith