Obi Wan Lightsaber + Birchwood Casey Bluening

[redfive]

Hey folks!

I've got questions about bluening a Obi Wan saber with Birchwood Casey Products. I'm going to do another Obi Wan this year after putting my first one together last year.
Is it normal that the bluening (especially on the Grenade/Windwave) isn't as durable?..Seems a little sensitive to me. Did I something wrong? I used 'Super Blue' for the Grenade/Emitter part and 'Brass Black' for the for the windwave section and somehow I'm scared to touch my saber, afraid of rubbing the bluening off! So I'd like to ask if this is normal...

What's the difference between 'Perma Blue' and 'Super Blue'?
Should I use the 'Cleaner-Degreaser' before applying the bluening?

　

Thanks!

Cheers
Andreas

 

[Robiwon]

I used the Perma Blue on all my steel parts. Never had an issue with it. I just poured some in a shallow plastic tub and rolled the part in it until I was satisfied with the shade. Rinsed with water after.

 

[Sym-Cha]

Hi there,

'You seek James Kenobi 1138' ... he'd know.

Nice lightsabers by the way ... why is the lever on your Obi-Wan clamp turned upwards? Is the square tab still attached so you can not make an extra turn? Just be careful clamplevers tend to break easily when under stress ... furthermore if you are a freak like me about screen-accurate Luke ANH lightsaber then loose the square tab under the lever as well, otherwise let it be so

-Chaim

 

[redfive]

Hey Chaim!

Thanks for the compliment. You're right! I was confused why I can't turn the lever when I put this one together, didn't want to break something. So, I'll have a look to it after work, try to loose this square tab. :thumbsup Usually I'm also a VERY picky guy... everything has to be perfect.

I'll shoot Kenobi a PM to have a look on this Thread, Obi'13 has to be Perfect!!.. Wishing to have a Crystal Chamber/Soundboard/FX (the full program. Hey Slothfurnace....) in the next one. But I'm just to unskilled for doing this kind of stuff on my own. So this never will happen.


Cheers
Andreas

 

[teecrooz]

I've used both Perma and Super with no issues. I put it on using the same technique as Robiwon.

Perma blue took longer to darken but is supposed to leave a finish that is more dense.

 

[Clutch]

Rinse it well. I've heard you can neutralize the bluing with baking soda. You can also give it a good buffing with 0000 steel wool. The Obi was such a POS, that it doesn't need to be pristine.

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

I've got a few tips for you, but give me a day or two and I'll post them up.

 

[redfive]

Hey all, thanks for the response!

Yeah, it's not my intend to have it pristine. It just sucks to know that it is not as durable as I wish it was. I wanted to take it with me to this years Star Wars Celebration Europe here in Germany and I'm seeing myself returning the saber with a nice shiny metallic finish. cry

Thank you James Kenobi, I really appreciate!


Grüße
Andreas

 

[Robiwon]

Can you explain the problems? What exactly do you mean it's not durable? Is it flaking or rubbing off? Are your saber parts steel or aluminum?

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

Is your grenade steel?

I've found that Perma-blue Gel works much better than the liquid. It also helps to brush the grenade with a wire brush first to remove a micro-fine layer of metal and 'open up' the steel to better take the Perma-blue.

Apply the gel, let it soak in, wash it off and reapply. Keep doing this until you get the color that you like.

This is the most important. Once you get the grenade the way you like it, spray a few coats of matte clear over the grenade to lock in the color and keep it from rusting red or forming a green patina. I also use brown chalk dust in the frag recesses after weathering the grenade.

Another thing you can do is to use a brass wire wheel brush in a drill or drill press and go over the grenade and then soak if for a couple of weeks in a penetrating oil. Real grenades get their dark color from being oiled many times over the years to prevent rust. The oil soaks in and darkens over time. You can use an oil like baby oil, or change the motor oil in your car and soak in in that black, carbon filled oil. It works like a champ.

 

[redfive]

Can you explain the problems? What exactly do you mean it's not durable? Is it flaking or rubbing off? Are your saber parts steel or aluminum?

Steel Parts of course. I took a picture of it… I'm sure the finish will wear off much more over time. I'm not satisfied the way it looks, this definitely needs a redo!

James Kenobi, thank you very much! Sounds plausible to me! I'll clean the grenade up and start this over, the idea with the (motor) oil sounds good to me. I'll also get some of the Gel stuff and let it have a try.

Thanks!!


Grüße
Andreas