'Blueing' Airsoft Guns

[Cromulon1994]

I've been into using Birchwood Casey's aluminium black for a few years now. Works on zinc alloys a treat.

It has been giving a better than paint, but not quite there finish since I've been using it, following instructions, looking on threads where people have used it on the rpf ect.

I've been experimenting with it, and today I've had a bit of a result.

Warm metal parts, kept warm throughout the process, cleaned with acetone, apply the blackener with a cloth. Give it a couple of layers, dry off the excess.

Almost immediately after, I've been using t cut scratch remover, same cloth, polished the surface. It really now does look like gunmetal. We're all bored at home, it's easy and it looks so much better than paint.

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On the last photo you can see dull bits around the frame that haven't been finished at the time of the photo.

 

[Adolf Hamster]

very nice, i take it you're doing this to bare metal?

i must admit i'd love to get a nice blued finish on the makarov but been too worried about mucking it up to actually do it.

 

[Cromulon1994]

Yes on bare metal. It's easier than painting you wont mess it up.

 

[Guest]

Awesome job, genius level warming the parts ??

 

[Diemaco]

How does it hold up? Is it a durable finish at all?

 

[Cromulon1994]

Yes it is, though if you were to scratch it  it's dead easy to touch up.

 

[Adolf Hamster]

Hmm, i wonder if i should see this as an excuse to get another makarov.....

 

[EDcase]

Here's a Sten I did. Might give it another treatment when I get some more gun blue. (Used Philips gun blue)

A video I saw recommended leaving oil on the parts for 24 hrs after to make it more permanent and durable. 

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[MarkP1988]

Do you have a link to the product you used? Looking on Amazon I can find plenty of gun blues but they appear to be for steel rather than zinc alloys?

 

[EDcase]

Birchwood Casey aluminium black

Philips gun blue for steel

 

[Cromulon1994]

Birchwood Casey aluminium black

Philips gun blue for steel

I've never used one of the chemicals for doing steel, only lots of heat and oil.

 

[EDcase]

I prefer the cold method for:

- Less stress on the parts (they're not the best quality metals)

- Don't have to fully disassemble

- No chance of burning down the building

 

[Cromulon1994]

Yeah I get its probably a better method. Tbh I did a sten too, which is pretty much all mild steel and simply made. Stainless steel stock tube though which is odd.