Removing gun blue

Improving and repairing firearms. Rifle bedding, barrel work, stock replacement and other ways to improve your firearms.

Removing gun blue

Post by brouta » 02 Sep 2014, 9:49 pm

G'day,

Is it possible to remove the blue from a barrel once it's done?

Can you get it back to 'as new' steel or once stained is there always some colour?

Thanks.
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Re: Removing gun blue

Post by Download » 02 Sep 2014, 9:57 pm

Apparently you can use vinegar. Though I have to wonder why you'd want to do that, your gun will rust really easily.
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Re: Removing gun blue

Post by bigfellascott » 02 Sep 2014, 10:04 pm

I removed the blue from my shotgun years ago, just sanded it off with some emery paper from memory, then finished off using 0000 steel wool, shes nice a shinny these days - no rust issue either.
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Re: Removing gun blue

Post by Baldrick314 » 02 Sep 2014, 10:19 pm

There's blue removing products on the market. Tetra make a good one that's easy to use
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Re: Removing gun blue

Post by Westy » 03 Sep 2014, 9:56 am

bigfellascott wrote:I removed the blue from my shotgun years ago, just sanded it off with some emery paper from memory, then finished off using 0000 steel wool, shes nice a shinny these days - no rust issue either.

X 2 Scott Oldskool Rules!!!! :shock: :) :lol:
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Re: Removing gun blue

Post by bigfellascott » 03 Sep 2014, 10:18 am

Westy wrote:
bigfellascott wrote:I removed the blue from my shotgun years ago, just sanded it off with some emery paper from memory, then finished off using 0000 steel wool, shes nice a shinny these days - no rust issue either.

X 2 Scott Oldskool Rules!!!! :shock: :) :lol:


:D It's what I had laying around so it got the job!, I'm all about KISS. :D
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Re: Removing gun blue

Post by keg » 04 Sep 2014, 11:51 am

I use naval jelly it will strip blueing quickly. When done you need to apply plenty of oil to stop the reaction. Before reblueing I polish with 400 grit emery cloth. This formula works great and is quick.
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Re: Removing gun blue

Post by Tiiger » 04 Sep 2014, 1:27 pm

brouta wrote:Can you get it back to 'as new' steel or once stained is there always some colour?


It's not "stained" like a liquid seeping into wood or cloth.

It's a reaction with the surface only, it doesn't permeate into the steel.

You're just removing it from the surface and it comes off like the guys said.
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Re: Removing gun blue

Post by brouta » 04 Sep 2014, 1:27 pm

Great, thanks guys.
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Re: Removing gun blue

Post by Bennybigbores » 15 Sep 2014, 7:21 pm

Depending on the desired finish, I just buffed the s**t out of my shotty with steel wool.

It put a great finish on the steel, it was just tiresome and labour intensive but worth the finish.
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Re: Removing gun blue

Post by brouta » 16 Sep 2014, 1:47 pm

I've picked up some steel wool, plan to get to the LGS on saturday for some blue removing.

Between the two I'm sure I'll sort it out :)
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Re: Removing gun blue

Post by Tiiger » 17 Sep 2014, 10:18 am

Good luck.

Post some pics ;)
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