Color case hardening simulation

[Hannibal]

There's a company called Steel F/X that sells some products that it claims mimic the appearance of color case hardening. It's merely a surface finish, appearance products only.

I was wondering if anyone here had tried any of their products and if so what results you obtained.

Thanks in advance.

[turtlezx]

i looked at there web site looks promissing
now if someone has tried it and responds

[quack1]

Never tried Steel FX, but have tried bottled blueing and browning. If you already have them, it might be worth it to give them a try before buying the Steel FX. With some fiddling around, you can get a reasonable approximation of CCH. Being just a chemical surface coloring, I'd expect heavy use and extended exposure to light will cause fading fairly quickly. Here's a Fox double I did some years ago.
https://i.imgur.com/mAnvHeel.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zzfXgnBl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/45LBW5Zl.jpg

[schutzen-jager]

in the 1994 edition of Guns Illustrated there are 3 pages of instructions on page 39 - simple +easy to do - tried it years ago + results were amazing -

[Hannibal]

Sounds very intriguing. I'll see if I can find that somewhere. I appreciate the tip very much!

Edit - already located and ordered a copy. Much easier than I anticipated. Thanks again.

[Toolmaker TN]

in the 1994 edition of Guns Illustrated there are 3 pages of instructions on page 39 - simple +easy to do - tried it years ago + results were amazing -

I second this. I've used the same article to color several guns, including a (Savage) Stevens Favorite. They all came out well. Be careful with the heat application and you should be fine.

[Rusty Goose]

Quack1-that looks beautiful!

[Hannibal]

I second this. I've used the same article to color several guns, including a (Savage) Stevens Favorite. They all came out well. Be careful with the heat application and you should be fine.

Book just arrived today. Given that this technique requires a propane-oxy or acetylene-oxy torch I'm not surprised folks are looking for a cheap surface finish alternative.

That's OK. I've been looking for an excuse to buy a torch set anyway.

[schutzen-jager]

a regular run of the mill bernzomatic torch does the job with minimal cost if you do not already have one - you can also use your barbecue tank with a torch attachment -

[Rapier]

I am curious, as I have a OA torch, as to how you could do a torch heat, without oxygen getting to the action. I have done an action annealing with folded over SS sheeting and a wood splinter to burn oxygen out, turned out OK. But not sure about the bone carbon or leather carbon.

Got a guy that wants to try that liquid brush on mess. Case colors and the Gulf do not usually go together for very long.

[Hannibal]

I am curious, as I have a OA torch, as to how you could do a torch heat, without oxygen getting to the action. I have done an action annealing with folded over SS sheeting and a wood splinter to burn oxygen out, turned out OK. But not sure about the bone carbon or leather carbon.

Got a guy that wants to try that liquid brush on mess. Case colors and the Gulf do not usually go together for very long.

Well I have received the book I ordered and read the article mentioned. There's a specific chemical required which I was able to obtain. I located a used Prest -O- Lite torch with multiple tips that I think will work perfectly for this project. I have several other projects involving silver soldering anyway, so this will definitely work for those.

I'm rather busy and the typical Holiday season ruckus is upon us. So it'll be a month probably before I get to test this combo out.

As for finish preservation that is an issue. It was and is an issue for true Color Case Hardening too. Nothing new there. It's a finish that requires maintenance and upkeep in order to preserve it.

Not the best choice for a firearm that would only see standard maintenance and occasional foul weather. Again, nothing new.

It does not matter how a CCH appearance is applied. Real or faux it never was and never will be durable.

[ulav8r]

I am curious, as I have a OA torch, as to how you could do a torch heat, without oxygen getting to the action. .

If oxygen can't get to the metal then no coloring will occur. The color is from oxidation while hot and the color achieved is from the combination of temperature and oxidation. The use of brazing/welding flux will prevent the oxidation AND coloring.

[schutzen-jager]

[[[ As for finish preservation that is an issue. It was and is an issue for true Color Case Hardening too. Nothing new there. It's a finish that requires maintenance and upkeep in order to preserve it.]]]

clear varnish was used to protect it by most manufacturers -