Thread: Home rust bluing solutions?

I don't know of any commercial rust blueing solutions available in NZ but the book "Firearms Blueing and Browning" by R H Angier has a heap of recipes. Basically any solution that promotes rusting will work (a mild brine for example). The secret is to ensure the metal is completely degreased and is not touched with your bare hands at any stage of the operation. Use cotton gloves and steel wool for the carding process why dry after boiling in clean water. Older mild steels may only need one or two passes but modern alloy steels will need more.