Filandrius
Sr Member
Depends on the parts; some parts are rust blued (Magazine Door, Upper Frame, Upper End Cap, Bull Barrel, Flash Hider, Scope & Mount) some are flame blued (Bolt Stop, Extractor, Lock Frame Stop, Safety, Sight Button, Sight Slide, Trigger) some are left on bare steel (Bolt, Hammer, Lock Frame, Sight Leaf & internals) and some other parts are painted black so no bluing (Lower Frame, Scope Mount Brackets & Thumbwheels)
For the rust bluing I used Brownells Oxpho-Blue, the creme version. Super easy to use (goes on with a rag) blues extra fast at room temperature, and if the color isn't correct you just apply some again. Works great on large surfaces, too. Just wear some gloves because it's super corrosive.
For the flame bluing the "correct" method is by heating the part with a torch to the temperature of the color you want: Tool Steel Temperature Color Chart | Nancy L T Hamilton
It can be tricky (to say the least) especially if you heat the part too much, too little, or unevenly, messing up the color. I really didn't want to mess up with a torch (inside the house, in winter) so I just stuck the parts in my oven, after making sure that it could go up to the needed temperature (550F, which is the color you want) It's super easy and comes out perfect and even. You can then cool the part in oil or water.
For the rust bluing I used Brownells Oxpho-Blue, the creme version. Super easy to use (goes on with a rag) blues extra fast at room temperature, and if the color isn't correct you just apply some again. Works great on large surfaces, too. Just wear some gloves because it's super corrosive.
For the flame bluing the "correct" method is by heating the part with a torch to the temperature of the color you want: Tool Steel Temperature Color Chart | Nancy L T Hamilton
It can be tricky (to say the least) especially if you heat the part too much, too little, or unevenly, messing up the color. I really didn't want to mess up with a torch (inside the house, in winter) so I just stuck the parts in my oven, after making sure that it could go up to the needed temperature (550F, which is the color you want) It's super easy and comes out perfect and even. You can then cool the part in oil or water.