Re-bluing a rifle

1895ss · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 7:09 pm Post subject: Re-bluing a rifle

Last summer I purchased a used Marlin 336 RC, as some of you know, and it was made in 1952. Some of the bluing is worn off and I'm thinking about stripping it and re-bluing it. I did another rifle many many years ago and it worked out ok but it's not excellent. I was thinking that some of you here have likely done that a whole lot more then I have and would be experts at it compared to me. What I'm hoping is that one of you can tell me what's best to use for re-bluing and also the best process etc etc.

You see I'm off work for the winter (another 2 months) and I'm caught up with the "honey do list" and I need a project to keep me busy. Some of you married fellows know what I mean, I need to keep from getting under foot so to speak.
Thanks very much in advance. Smile

gelandangan · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject: Re: Re-bluing a rifle

I was told to boil my rifle parts in Lye (caustic soda) for 20 minutes (OUTDOOR) So I did & so the rifle became nicely blued again.

I did not even have to clean it because the lye solution degreases the part.

Cheapest and easiest blueing I did.

Gil Martin · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 12:20 pm Post subject: Re: Re-bluing a rifle

I have been bluing rifles, handguns and shotguns for a long time. The key is to wear rubber gloves, prep the metal, degrease it, warm it with a hair dryer and use a good quality blue. The best cold blue product that I have found is G96 paste. They have a website and sell a lot of products. I have used G96 on rifles and shotguns years ago that still look great. Cold blue will eventually wear off, but is easily touched up again. All the best...
Gil

1895ss · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:38 pm Post subject: Re: Re-bluing a rifle

Thanks Gil, I just might try that.

SingleShotLover · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:22 pm Post subject: Re: Re-bluing a rifle

The cold blue I have had the best luck with is Oxpho Blue from Brownells (though they have released it for sale through other outlets such as Cabellas). It is actually buffed off the metal with steel wool and, used properly, gives a deep blue finish. As a test I polished and re-blued a Ruger .44 cylinder and haven't oiled it in 3 years...just wiped it with a clean cloth after use. Still no sign of rust and looks great.

1895ss · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 4:12 pm Post subject: Re: Re-bluing a rifle

Thanks Singleshot ................... I'll keep it in mind. Smile

That Marlin 336RC is the first rifle I've ever bought used. I have bought all the rest of my guns new except for a 12 gauge pump I bought last fall as well.

1895ss · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject: Re: Re-bluing a rifle

I dismantled my 336RC completely and went to work. I have been sanding and polishing for days and I finally finished today. My gun looks almost like new and it's back together again. Thanks Gil for the tip on the G96, it worked great. It's nice and dark and looks almost like a factory finish. Like I said the old .35 looks almost new except for a few scratches that I missed and you can see them in the bluing. But hey, the gun is 55 years old, it should have a few blemishes. It even looks good beside my 1895 that's only 9 years old and has been well looked after.
Thanks again. Smile

mikeleduc · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:44 am Post subject: Re: Re-bluing a rifle

I have never blued anything but found this on the internet about blueing. As in most things preparation is the key to good results. It sounds simple enough, but then if it was everyone would be doing it. The pictures didn't come from the same web site, that site is gone now.

yarchive.net/gun/bluing.html

Gil Martin · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:19 pm Post subject: Re: Re-bluing a rifle

1895ss,
Glad things worked out OK. All the best...
Gil

Vince · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:59 am Post subject: Re: Re-bluing a rifle

Hey ya 1985essess.....why blue it? Have a talk to our mate Gelan...he has some experience with the Cerakote (from memory) process. Very Happy

Cheers, Vince

gelandangan · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: Re-bluing a rifle

Vince wrote:

xperience with the Cerakote

Morax · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject: Re: Re-bluing a rifle

yeah whatever did come out of that mess you ran into gel?

the guy ever make good on it?

Vince · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject: Re: Re-bluing a rifle

DOH....OOPS....I'm outa here.

Hiding

Cheers, Vince

1895ss · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Re-bluing a rifle

Vince wrote:

Hey ya 1985essess.....why blue it? Have a talk to our mate Gelan...he has some experience with the Cerakote (from memory) process. Very Happy

Cheers, Vince

Hey ya Vnicessess, I think I'll stick to bluing.......... Laughing

1895ss · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: Re-bluing a rifle

Gil, I finally got my digital camera back from the repair shop, good thing it was under warranty, so I thought I'd show you what a rookie gun bluer can do with G96 creme blue. Too bad I couldn't have taken a before pic. Notice there is one light spot on the mag tube, but I'm happy with it. Now I plan on refinishing the wood sometime. Front sight is missing because I had to order a taller one from Lyman. After installing the receiver sight it shot way too high and there wasn't enough adjustment on the rear sight to lower it.