After completing the engraving, if blue (or brown) is not going to be aplied what is a good coating to put on the work so it will not rust? I see lots of pictures of engraving that is not blued and not stainless. Even though I am working on practice plates, I still want to protect them.

Kevin Monahan
5/23/2006 1:05:02 PM

Welcome Kevin.
You could consider French Gray which gives pretty good protection and shows the engraving very well.
You could also give some consideration to having them plated.
Very durable but usually requires outside work.
Best of luck, John

John Barraclough
5/23/2006 4:41:52 PM

John,

Thanks for the info.

I've been looking at the process for French Gray and have seen several versions. The simplest I've read is to apply nanval jelly to the part to be Grayed and let it dry. Then wash off the residue and apply a good oil. Then I've other methods that are more involved.

Since I'm just working on practice plates at this point I can try any method and not worry about ruining a good firearm.

Thanks,

Kevin



Kevin Monahan
5/23/2006 7:47:23 PM

Just browsing through some earlier threads and came across this.

Just some thoughts on finishes.

bluing/blacking/browning is achieved by rusting barrels.

hot bluing/blacking is achieved by boiling in a caustic solution. (don't do this with fine, hand made shotgun/double rifle barrels or the tin holding the ribs on will melt and you'll end up with 2 separate barrels.

french grey/coin finish is achieved by either cyanide hardening (the cheapest) or removing the colours from colour case hardened parts which gives a lovely soft lustre.

None of the above processes truly protect against rust. If you leave water/sweat on a pair of blued barrels you'll rust them. That's why barrels are always polished off with a soft dry cloth before putting them away. Actions are a bit better protected because they're varnished before final assembly but again no one in their right mind would dream of putting away a fine English shotgun without a final buff with a soft cloth.

Hot blacking does fair a little better on bolt rifles and the like but again will rust if mistreated or abused.

Moral, always treat a gun as though it will rust even in a finished state and you'll have a rust free gun.

Hope this helps
Marcus

Marcus Hunt
7/14/2006 12:32:34 PM