What's the proper finish?

JimD · 09-30-2013, 09:59 PM

I'm considering redoing a blue job on my rescued, mismatched DWM. It was chrome plated when I got it and I had that stripped off. I polished it out to about 400 grit which I think was too fine when I blued it a couple of years ago. I'm thinking about stripping it again and doing a rust blue and straw finish. What's the proper grit to use prior to rust bluing?

nukem556 · 10-01-2013, 09:50 AM

A 400 finish is fine for rust bluing....the rusting cycles are going to by their nature "matte" the finish a bit. My experience is the first cycle has the most effect on the final finish. It's hard to generalize, but say in a 80 degree 70% humidity environment, the first cycle should be about 4 hours I've found.

JimD · 10-01-2013, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nukem556

A 400 finish is fine for rust bluing....the rusting cycles are going to by their nature "matte" the finish a bit. My experience is the first cycle has the most effect on the final finish. It's hard to generalize, but say in a 80 degree 70% humidity environment, the first cycle should be about 4 hours I've found.

Thanks, that's what I was looking for.

Edward Tinker · 10-01-2013, 12:05 PM

I was trying to remember, was trying to sand down a horribly pitted byf and I was told that too high of a sand (I think I was using 600) would really make it shine

I was thinking he told me no more than 300 or 400 / but its been too many years.

JimD · 10-01-2013, 10:05 PM

Thanks, Ed. I think I may go for the 320 but maybe do some test pieces first.

Thor · 10-03-2013, 11:56 AM

The end condition or "ripe ness" of the rust blue should look something like this before the next step. I have a few tricks that accomplish this for every application of the rust blue process. The first application is easy to reach this level. The subsequent applications are more difficult.

09-30-2013, 09:59 PM	#1
JimD User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: South Carolina Posts: 179 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	What's the proper finish? I'm considering redoing a blue job on my rescued, mismatched DWM. It was chrome plated when I got it and I had that stripped off. I polished it out to about 400 grit which I think was too fine when I blued it a couple of years ago. I'm thinking about stripping it again and doing a rust blue and straw finish. What's the proper grit to use prior to rust bluing? __________________ "Dyin' aint much of a livin', boy".

10-01-2013, 12:05 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	I was trying to remember, was trying to sand down a horribly pitted byf and I was told that too high of a sand (I think I was using 600) would really make it shine I was thinking he told me no more than 300 or 400 / but its been too many years. __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

10-01-2013, 10:05 PM	#5
JimD User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: South Carolina Posts: 179 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks, Ed. I think I may go for the 320 but maybe do some test pieces first. __________________ "Dyin' aint much of a livin', boy".

10-03-2013, 11:56 AM	#6
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	The end condition or "ripe ness" of the rust blue should look something like this before the next step. I have a few tricks that accomplish this for every application of the rust blue process. The first application is easy to reach this level. The subsequent applications are more difficult. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

10-01-2013, 09:50 AM	#2
nukem556 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 625 Thanks: 35 Thanked 168 Times in 107 Posts	A 400 finish is fine for rust bluing....the rusting cycles are going to by their nature "matte" the finish a bit. My experience is the first cycle has the most effect on the final finish. It's hard to generalize, but say in a 80 degree 70% humidity environment, the first cycle should be about 4 hours I've found.