Hey everybody, I've been reading articles on this forum for a while but just registered. I was planning on posting some of my recent gun refinishing projects as a first post but am having some trouble on the current project.
I am working on bluing a Winchester Mod 70 barrel using a slow rust blue method. Here's the basic method for this project:
-Removed old blue, polished barrel down to 400 grit.
-Degreased by boiling in washing soda solution, then wiping with solvent (paint thinner).
-Applied Brownells Classic Rust Blue Solution diluted with water 1:1.
-Let rust in humidity box until a uniform red coating of rust appears.
-Boiled in distilled water for 10 minutes, then card using 0000 steel wool and clean with solvent.
I am on my 14th (yes 14th!) cycle of this and cannot seem to get a uniform finish. I achieved the color I wanted after 6 or 7 cycles and since have just been trying to get a cycle that comes out without any blemishes. I am having a couple problems. Sometimes I get a uniform color except for a few spots that have streaks that are darker than the rest of the barrel. When I go another rust/boil cycle, these streaks disappear, but sometimes new ones appear in different spots. It almost looks like as if someone took a blue sharpy and drew a line on the barrel. I tried to get some pics but you can't see much of anything in them.
The second problem is that occasionally after carding the finish will be blotchy, even though it was uniform before. After another cycle it will sometimes go away but other blemishes appear. What causes this uneven finish?
This is not my first attempt at rust bluing, I have had successful attempts before, though I am by no means an expert. This method is the same as the previous project I finished, which I had some similar issues, but was able to get it to come out nicely. I don't think it is an issue with metal prep, degreasing, or cleanliness as it has worked for me in the past.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.