How To: Rust Bluing.

[AFJuvat]

After applying the rust blue solution three times, I dropped the parts into the pot of boiling water and let them boil for about 10 minutes.
Pic 13 - Parts boiling.



The heat and the boiling water converts the red rust (Fe2O3) to Magnetite (Fe3O4) Magnetite has a blue/black color and is much more resistant to corrosion.

Pic 14 - Parts removed from the boiling water. They have turned black, with some red rust still on the surface. With repeated application, the amount of red rust remaining becomes less and less.



Pic 15 - Same parts, after carding off the "fuzzy" stuff on the parts as seen in picture above. No red rust on the parts, which have turned a nice blue/black color.



I repeated the process above three more times, though each application/boil cycle was progressively shorter and shorter, as there was less free iron left to oxidize. After the 4th application, I carded the parts and then turned up the heat in the toaster over to 250 degrees to evaporate any water left on the parts.

Pic 16 - After the heat soak, I slathered on the grease and let them sit for 24 hours.



After 24 hours, wiped off the excess grease. The bolt came out really well. too bad it is a junker part.
Pic 17 - Bolt body



Pic 18 - Bolt handle.

[Caleb]

Nice work, those came out great for what you are working with! I might have to send you my Enfield parts for some bluing, lol.

[pitor]

Nice work Mike. That was a lot of work, but working on guns is never "work" now, is it? Thanks for sharing with us.

[sdmc530]

nice job, I have never tried that but always wanted to, found it easier to have somebody else do it!! I guess I am lazy