Removing Dip-Blue Coating . . . Possible?

Luke · 11-28-2005, 05:41 PM

The Finnish Lugers I have seen (admittedly only a few) have all been dip-blued and have a thick coating of this material over the original rust blue.

In some cases I suspect the rust blue underneath, worn though it might be, would look better.

Is there any chemical method of stripping the dip-blue coating from the rust blue without removing the original finish? Any other method?

Thanks,
Luke

Ron Smith · 11-28-2005, 06:18 PM

Orv Reichert uses 0000 or 00000 steel wool and a light gun oil. Wiping every so often with kleenex to see if it is coming off. He wraps steel wool around Q-Tips to get in the corners.

Ron

Dwight Gruber · 11-28-2005, 06:24 PM

Luke,

Are you sure that you are not seeing a phosphated (like Parkerized) finish? My understanding is that this is a Finnish maintenance finish.

--Dwight

Luke · 11-28-2005, 06:29 PM

Dwight -

It could be phosphated; I can't tell for sure. Whatever the coating, it is dull, thick, and easily scratched. The Tikkakoski barrel appears to be a bright salt blue; the toggle train is the original DWM rust blue; while the receiver, side plate, and frame have this thick coating.

Luke

Navy · 11-28-2005, 07:16 PM

Altho I have no personal experience in this, I have been told that application of carbureator cleaner will remove this stuff.

Tom A

Walt NW · 11-29-2005, 10:51 AM

I can strongly recommend a tube of "Gun Brite Polish" put out by an outfit called Iosso Marine Produicts. Picked up this stuff at a gun show several years back and used it on a couple of P-38's the Russians had dip blued. Took the junk right off leaving the original finish untouched and in great condition. Comes in a camoflaged colored tube. Don't know if it's available outside of gun shows or not. Firm is located in Elk Grove Village, Il. Phone # 708/437-8400 according to the info on the tube and if they're still in business.

Pete Ebbink · 11-29-2005, 11:52 AM

Luke,

Isn't one of the unique features of the Finnsih lugers their finish ?

Not sure why you would consider removing it...???

Luke · 11-29-2005, 11:59 AM

Pete -

That is news to me, but I only recent became interested in Finnish Lugers and, more importantly, Finnish history. Fascinating stuff.

I only have two of these with two more on the way, and I did suspect that all these Lugers were covered with this material. However, I was not aware that the coating was an important feature. Maybe I should reconsider.

Luke

Dwight Gruber · 11-29-2005, 12:09 PM

Luke,

Perhaps not 'important' per se, but perhaps authentic. Going slow with this I think is wise, it will be interesting to see what conclusions you come to in this regard as you examine more of these Lugers.

--Dwight

11-28-2005, 05:41 PM	#1
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Removing Dip-Blue Coating . . . Possible? The Finnish Lugers I have seen (admittedly only a few) have all been dip-blued and have a thick coating of this material over the original rust blue. In some cases I suspect the rust blue underneath, worn though it might be, would look better. Is there any chemical method of stripping the dip-blue coating from the rust blue without removing the original finish? Any other method? Thanks, Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

11-28-2005, 06:18 PM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Orv Reichert uses 0000 or 00000 steel wool and a light gun oil. Wiping every so often with kleenex to see if it is coming off. He wraps steel wool around Q-Tips to get in the corners. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

11-28-2005, 06:29 PM	#4
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Dwight - It could be phosphated; I can't tell for sure. Whatever the coating, it is dull, thick, and easily scratched. The Tikkakoski barrel appears to be a bright salt blue; the toggle train is the original DWM rust blue; while the receiver, side plate, and frame have this thick coating. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

11-29-2005, 11:59 AM	#8
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Pete - That is news to me, but I only recent became interested in Finnish Lugers and, more importantly, Finnish history. Fascinating stuff. I only have two of these with two more on the way, and I did suspect that all these Lugers were covered with this material. However, I was not aware that the coating was an important feature. Maybe I should reconsider. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

11-28-2005, 06:24 PM	#3
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Luke, Are you sure that you are not seeing a phosphated (like Parkerized) finish? My understanding is that this is a Finnish maintenance finish. --Dwight

11-28-2005, 07:16 PM	#5
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Altho I have no personal experience in this, I have been told that application of carbureator cleaner will remove this stuff. Tom A

11-29-2005, 10:51 AM	#6
Walt NW User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Caney, Texas Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I can strongly recommend a tube of "Gun Brite Polish" put out by an outfit called Iosso Marine Produicts. Picked up this stuff at a gun show several years back and used it on a couple of P-38's the Russians had dip blued. Took the junk right off leaving the original finish untouched and in great condition. Comes in a camoflaged colored tube. Don't know if it's available outside of gun shows or not. Firm is located in Elk Grove Village, Il. Phone # 708/437-8400 according to the info on the tube and if they're still in business.

11-29-2005, 11:52 AM	#7
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Luke, Isn't one of the unique features of the Finnsih lugers their finish ? Not sure why you would consider removing it...???

11-29-2005, 12:09 PM	#9
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Luke, Perhaps not 'important' per se, but perhaps authentic. Going slow with this I think is wise, it will be interesting to see what conclusions you come to in this regard as you examine more of these Lugers. --Dwight