How to make it more blue than black using Perma-Blue?

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

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Aug 13, 2002
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I am using Perma-Blue for the first time and with the tips found here (clean with acetone, apply, let dry, rinse, steel wool, start again) I must say it do get a pretty uniform finish. I am using it on 1018 by the way.

I was wondering if there is a way to get it a as uniform and deep but a shade lighter of blue? Now it looks blue-black. Although I like it very much, a tad lighter would suit the knife I am working on a little better. It is possible with this particular product or do I need something else?

I heard praises about Oxpho-Blue and will try it eventually but it wont be until I can go get some in the states.

Thanks
 
You may try polishing the steel a little more. Sometimes this will give a "bluer" color, although I do believe that the chemicals make more difference. I know some steels will be bluer (or in the case of those with high nickel content plum).

I like to boil my steel parts before using cold blues, and then apply the solution to the still warm metal. I think it makes a cleaner, more uniform, color. And I can do it fairly cheap. Plus it neutralizes the solutions, and then I can card them to see the actual finish.

I take it a heat colored (tempered) blue won't work?
 
I've totally polished and cleanded mild steel the way you said then used my tempering oven to turn the steel a nice, even royal blue. I think I went right around 500 degrees give or take. But that finish isn't very durable. It scratches or rubs off pretty easy.

I think hot bluing with salts such as Nitre Blue from Brownells is a better option. You can get that blue color with this method in a more durable finish.
 
Patrice... try coating the blade in blue solution and rub with steel wool while the blue is still wet then apply more solution to the mix. It should immediately turn blue. Be ready next to a sink to wash it off before it gets too dark. Buff lightely with fine steel wool and WD-40. You may also get some funky colours in there, so if it is a totally uniform look you're after, you have to have patience and a little luck.

Rick
 
i would hold off on putting on wd-40 until the blue has a chance to set for a week. gun blue is a form of rust and when i ran several guns i was redoing through a friends hot blue tanks he said to not use anything but mineral oil for a few weeks on the guns so the blue will have time to set.

one gun i did had a real high polish and turned out a real bright blue color which i didnt like. i put the barrel back in the lathe and ran some red scotchbrite over the barrel and ran it through the tanks again. that made the barrel darker which is what i wanted.
try experimenting with the finish and see if that helps to get the color you want.
 
Thanks guys, I'll try these tips. It's for the guard, pommel nut and a small pin for that Persian dagger. If I ever finish the darn thing that is. :(
 
I keep on hand at least three different brands of cold bluing.
In doing maintenance on firearms I've noticed that different steels react different.
Sometimes I end up using all three on the same piece to get the right color.

Leadfoot
 
Thanks Leadfoot, that's good to know. On the next trip south of the border I'll try to get a few more products.
 
Patrice Lemée;9405836 said:
Thanks Leadfoot, that's good to know. On the next trip south of the border I'll try to get a few more products.
Click to expand...

Canadian Tire and Home Hardware carry bluing products, Patrice.... help is close to home. Unless you were talking about the Quebec border.... you separatist... tabernac!:grumpy:


Rick:p
 
They do?:confused: Guess I didn't ask cause I am tired of people looking at me like I come from another planet when do ask. Should have seen the guys face the last time I asked for number drills at C-Tire. :rolleyes: So in what section do I find these and what brand did you find?

And I am far from separatist. We are all the same in this great land of ours that is Canada.

All Québéquois that is! :p
 
I get the "Outers" brand from C-Tire... in the hunting section, year' round

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...5412P/Outers%2BGun%2BBlue%2BKit.jsp?locale=en

it is in a red container now...

21T2ANBHB2L.jpg
 
If you want a lighter shade, you can water the solution down. I put a teaspoon or so of water in a small bowl, add a few drops of bluing and apply to the steel. You won't see anything at first, but it does start to darken. I use this method to darken the area above the hamon. Hope this helps.

Dave
 
Patrice Lemée;9405836 said:
Thanks Leadfoot, that's good to know. On the next trip south of the border I'll try to get a few more products.
Click to expand...

Not sure if there's any problem shipping North, but Brownells carries what you need.

I am currently using the Dicropan T-4 Creme, Birchwood Casey Super Blue, Oxpho Blue Creme.
I like the creme versions a little better than the thin fluid, just for ease of use.

Brownells



Leadfoot
 
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