Replying to several at once:
David – Don’t die, I enjoy reading your adventures as you learn!!
Just be careful and you won’t die from bluing…although you might get some burns now and again. 🙂Harry,
Oxpho-Blue is basically what is used in Hot Water bluing. I think when Gene and I went to Browning years ago and watched their bluing of double barrels, they used a Herter’s solution but it isn’t available. I think it is pretty close to Oxpho… which I happen to like a lot! So you are doing a similar thing.Patrick,
Stop trying to shortcut learning… the rest of us had to learn the hard way and we really want you to join enjoy the misery of learning the hard way as well!! 🙂 🙂
Just kidding…
There are a few products out there that work well with the steam/boiling water approach, years ago, I made up a batch of the bluing solution Adolf Niedner used back 100 years ago…was highly regarded. A little lasts a long time. Consisted of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, powdered iron and distilled water. Don’t try this in your kitchen, I had a fume hood! But I must say it’s better than anything I’ve ever tried and the finish on custom rifles and double guns I’ve done looks as good today as it did when I first blued em…some over 30 years ago. If you are into the browned barrels some muzzle loader folks like, 5his same solution works well…you just don’t boil ( treat-rust- water rinse- card,…repeat.
Have fun
John
