"Hot water bluing" Ye Ole Herter's Belgian Blue?

taperloc

October 15, 2003 20:50

I've progreesed to the point where I am not happy with any of the cold blues I have tried, including "Wonder Blue". I have instructions on the "how to" of hot water bluing. I have been going through my Brownell cat. and they list the old Herter's solution @ $16.00 a pint and their own formula @ $27.00 a pint. Of course Brownell claims that their's is much better and easier to use than the Herter's formula.
I am looking for something that will do a good job. I had a guy do a Model 63 Winchester for me many years ago and it looks like a factory finish. I think he used the Herter's Belgian Blue. Has anybody had exerience with this stuff? Any help would be appreciated.

Comments Please!

Thank you,
Taperloc

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  rhmc24

  October 16, 2003 04:53

  I have used Belgian Blue on several jobs. Not from Herter's but maybe the same formula. Don't recall where I got it. Simple to use. After prep to blue, you put the part in boiling water till it gets hot. Then take it out and swab on the blue. Clean it after a bit with a SOS pad. Repeat till it looks blue enough to suit you. about four cycles of this it looks OK to me. In my experience it gives a satin blue rather than a shiny one. Even on a high polish it comes out satin. It has worked for me when other blues failed. Hope this helps.

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  v35

  October 19, 2003 17:22

  I still have much of a bottle of Herters Belgian Blue.
  In 1963, I blued a dehorned Baby Browning which I carried
  a lot and even went to Germany, Holland and GB with it. The blue was durable and as has been mentioned is a satin finish. only now it could use some touch up.
  I don't think I used distilled water as I should have.
  All my stuff is packed up in storage so I can't get at the instructions.
  As I recall, the procedure was; heat the parts in distilled water, remove and swab with blue then reheat in water followed by light rubbing with superfine steelwool. This cycle is repeated as many as six times.
  You could repair worn bluing by degreasing first and going through the above procedure.

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  Der Gebirgsjager

  October 19, 2003 22:18

  Taperloc-
  
  I think you've got those prices reversed! My catalog lists Brownell's product (Dicropan IM) at $16.68 a pint and Herter's at $27.30 a pint.
  
  I did sort of an exhaustive post awhile back on how to do a Belgian Blue job, but can't remember if it was on Gunbroker (maybe it's archived) or on another forum. In any event, you said you've got the instructions, and they probably come with the solution anyway.
  
  Herter's has always worked well for me. Believe it or not, I've got a gallon jug of Dicropan IM I purchased about 10 years ago and never have tried it out! Better do that sometime, I guess. Anyway, I can't give you a comparison. Herter's works well. Be sure to wear rubber gloves and safety glasses when using.[8D]

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