It is inevitable that you eventually run into some problems when rust bluing. Most can be traced to surface preparation and technique. The remainder fall into improper solution used and boiling/steaming issues.   Surface Preparation I always sand/bead blast or use silicon carbide papers to polish the metal prior to bluing and never have any [...]

I am asked this question quite often. To many, the answer is surprisingly – NO!  If bluing is just worn and there is no apparent active red rust, Rustblue can be applied directly over it and will blend the old with the new and render a uniform texture. It is not necessary to remove all [...]

Did you know that nearly all commercial and military arms production during the day employed steaming rather than boiling for rust bluing? It’s true. We’ve always been told in the majority of gunsmithing books that we should boil.  That is what has kept most people away from rust bluing. Pros and Cons of  boiling vs [...]

A “sweat box” is used in rust bluing for two reasons: 1. To initiate and accelerate the rusting process 2. To create a consistent, reproducible humidity environment Rust bluing can become agony for some who do not live in a high humidity environment, or if the season of the year is dry and cool. By [...]