Mark D's Luger Rust Blue Solution and Refinishing Tips Article

[Paladinpainter]

Mark, et al:
Here are the pictures I promised. Of course, it doesnt show much, I probably should have gone outside. The sodium nitrate barrel is the one on the right/bottom. When you hold them, side by side, the silver/blue highllights are evident.

I stumbled across this photo of my sodium nitrate Bolo Mauser next to a full sized C96 blued with a standard rust blue. To my tired eyes, the Bolo is a lot bluer.

These results convince me that Mark has hit on a formula that works. Thanks you, Mark. From the color of the Model 19, the type of steel seems to make a difference in the nature of the blue. It suggests that each type of steel will blue best with a specific formulation.

So, what's going on here ? Without any education that would qualify me to venture an opinion, I agree that the addition of sodium nitrate creates a molecular structure that reflects light the blue part of the spectrum. I dont know why and I'm not sure I need to. I'm going to concentrate on getting consistent, predictable results.

Does any one have any Show and Tell to share ?