Steel wool has some oil in it to keep it from rusting. If you rinse your steel wool in Acetone, it removes the oil and prevents contamination of the metal to be blued.

@357magdad

Жыл бұрын

I make sure to clean the item after buffing with steel wool.

Nice comparison. The object of bluing is to convert the free iron atoms on the surface to Magnetite. This will remove the free iron so it can not be converted to iron oxide (red rust), which is highly damaging. The magnetite is a very protective layer to red rust formation. This is how the inside of boilers are protected, by the formation of magnetite. Magnetite is a soft material and can be removed quite easily. By multiple applications of all the methods you are able to do more converting. The magnetite is a soft fully material and will absorb oil quite readily. This gives it added protection from iron oxide. Inside a well protected power boiler I have seen the magnetite 1/4" thick, and not a single spot of red rust anywhere, and the boiler is full of hot water.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the information! I'd like to try the rust bluing with a proper factory made rusting solution.

@jerryyager2601

2 жыл бұрын

So, wouldn't the hot water convert any oxidized (red rusted) material into magnetite? That seems to me to be the reason it is so thick inside the boiler?

Heating steel above 400'f will cause it to become a "straw" color (light yellow). Around 500'f it becomes brown and at 600'f you begin to see purple/blue. It will then turn gray at 800'f. These are all in the temperature ranges that result in "tempering". Tempering causes carbon steel to lose its hardness regardless of if you dunk it in oil. Also, heating it to where it turns blue will cause the steel grains to become larger which is bad. The only way to remedy this is to heat the steel to where it is no longer magnetic, around 1450'f for your typical carbon knife steel, then depending on the type of steel, either dunk in water or oil. Low carbon steels were typically never hard to begin with and cannot be hardened in this manner. You'd have to heat low carbon steel to non magnetic while in an oxygen free container with carbon surrounding it in order to make it stronger... a total waste of time and money. Basically, don't heat blue any steel that is "mission critical" unless you really know what you're doing.

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, and well said!

@jonathanbrooks1857

4 ай бұрын

I bought a DIY 2400 watt induction heating board for 50 bucks just to play around with this. Been using my stick welder to power it. Didn't know about the oxygen-free thing though, been quenching mild steel in the wife's tea candles (shhh, they're paraffin) with some success. 💡 I got a vacuum pump laying around here somewhere...

I agree with 'Randy Richard in The Shop' that the aim is to get a layer of magnetite. The best way to achieve this is to allow red surface rust (ferric oxide) to form and then subject the component to electrolysis. The cathodic reaction produces hydrogen gas because two oxygen atoms combine with the rust (ferric oxide) to form magnetite. This is much more efficient than boiling it in distilled water which simply 'undissolves' oxygen in the hope that it will attach to the rust as opposed to a proper chemical reaction by splitting the water molecules by electrolysis. You see magnetite on the blackened steel tools that never seem to rust.

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Matt! Check out my long term corrosion test of the rust blued washer: kzread.info/dash/bejne/em2n0MmCmLiteZs.html

Great demonstration! I like the magnet trick for polishing. 👍 Glad chuck was able to Flitz!

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Robert! Those little super strong magnets come in handy!

Extremely helpful and enjoyable. I am researching for a bike frame - would be beautiful but quite the endeavour. Cold blue liquid is probably not a commonly available product to me either. I really enjoyed this video and learned. Thanks

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I think a bike frame would be a real challenge to blue!

Best explanation I've found so far. Thanks!

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I did a recent project using a different rust bluing solution and had better results. kzread.info/dash/bejne/Zp2t27SSaNGslNI.html

Good one Magdad! I was surprised at how easily they were removed.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks David! I'm not sure any finish would hold up to scraping with a pocket knife!

Very interesting and educational. I appreciate this video and have added it to my 357 Magdad file. Thank You for sharing.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jack! I'm glad the video was helpful!

Great comparison and breakdown.

Interesting comparison. I use hot blueing for the appearance, rather than surface protection - it might be interesting to overcoat with clear coat (which will help preserve the blueing) 👍🏻🔧

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

I think you could clear coat it as long as you de-greased the part well.

Thanks for the great comparisons. Could come in handy one day .👍

Love the info and Ingenuity as usual ....very cool investigation of bluing ...thumbs up! Professor Magdad :]

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks D&R! I should have had a white lab coat on while doing the rust bluing - I felt like a mad scientist!

That was great! Thank you for putting that all in one video. It was very informative. It reminded me of a project farm video. 😁

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm glad you found the video helpful!

@everyhandletaken

2 жыл бұрын

Which cold bluing solution works best, we’re gonna test that! 😂

Very interesting. I was surprised the bluing was not abrasion resistant. At least we got some Christmas Flitz. Merry Christmas Mr & Mrs Magdad. You too Chucky Bird. 🎄

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark! Merry Christmas!

Thank you for showing how bluing was done way back when... I did not know the 3rd, rust method.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I tweaked the rusting formula on a recent project and got better results! kzread.info/dash/bejne/Zp2t27SSaNGslNI.html

I'm doing some research on this subject for a project & this is very informative & helpful. Thank you.

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I'm glad my video was helpful!

That was interesting. You got me interested in blueing and I have done a couple. Still learning from you. Thanks

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Glen! I enjoy experimenting with different finishes!

Very cool comparison, Magdad! I think you are correct about the oil being the corrosion resistance feature. The rust blue method sure pitted the washer. The AJB on the washers is my initials, pretty cool.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks AJB! I noticed that the hydrogen peroxide/salt really ate into the soft low carbon steel washer. I've seen other home brew recipes that included vinegar and used less salt.

@upsidedowndog1256

3 жыл бұрын

@@357magdad I have only seen the rust method of blueing on modern remakes of old firearms. I would like to think efforts like ours would last longer but someday someone is going to restore our old restorations of tools...or not. AJB is my birth initials, no meme.

One fast way to test corrosion resistance is grap a bit of clay from the ground, make a slurry with water. Any iron in contact with clay slurry tends to oxidize in 24h,unless has good surface protection.

@357magdad

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Check out my corrosion tests on the washers: kzread.info/dash/bejne/jGmpxKV9obTdpJc.html

I would be curious how they might look after another 24 wait after spritzing them with the salt water after the last test. Just to see which one seemed to have any better affect on limiting corrosion. Though I suspect they would all rust equally, with the possible exception of the hot bluing one. Very interesting!

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

I put all four outside this morning! I'm curious how they'll hold up in rain and snow!

If you get Mrs. Magdad a new hair dryer for Christmas that one would become Mr. Magdad's dedicated shop dryer! Could also set them outside for a few months to see how they hold up, and revisit!

@carldelawter8900

3 жыл бұрын

@357 Magdad That would be a great idea. Get Mrs. Magdad a new hair dryer with all the bells & whistles, whatever that is. After awhile, a hair dryer can become a fire hazard depending on what builds up inside. Kinda like sawdust & finishes build up in a power tool. Just a thought.☺

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

She lets me use it because she does not use it much. I would like to pick up a heat gun at a yard sale sometime.

@horseshoemountainprojects8144

3 жыл бұрын

I picked up dad a harbor freight one like 25 years ago on a 30% off coupon...he had to take it back twice to get one that worked but that last one still works like a champ.

Very interesting,will give it a try!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

@357magdad

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Check out my bluing playlist: kzread.info/head/PL2LUCgmdqpXOpk4SmLUUxAXQWGICpF_v6

The oil helps to protect the bluing, which is essentially magnetite, and inert, and is the primary protection for the base metal. Oil seals microscopic pores in the magnetite to prevent the base metal from oxidizing under the magnetite.

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! You may find my follow-up videos interesting! kzread.info/dash/bejne/jGmpxKV9obTdpJc.html kzread.info/dash/bejne/em2n0MmCmLiteZs.html

Thanks for showing the options

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

I thought it would be good reference!

Great tutorial! Great results too! 😃👍

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ScoutCrafter! I'm glad the Johnson's paste wax was able to protect against corrosion!

I’d also add that although for your purposes all three methods work well, cold bluing is usually the only way to blue larger items. Furniture makers and restorers catering to the industrial/steampunk crowd often use cold bluing to add character to steel decorative elements; I can't imagine trying to rust- or heat-blue a chair frame or loft railing. (Just in case you were wondering why it can be bought in a gallon jug 😅)

@357magdad

2 ай бұрын

Gunsmiths often build a steam tank for rust bluing.

I like the way you did that thank you it lets us all see what blowing of those kinds does thank you very much keep up the good work

@357magdad

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Roger! I'm glad you found the video helpful!

Very helpful and interesting - thanks!

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you found my video helpful!

Very cool. Thanks for the video!

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Daniel! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

Very well explained sir.

@357magdad

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I have a rust bluing video coming up this weekend!

Great test, thank you, much appreciated 🍻👍👍

@357magdad

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Chris!

Another thing to consider: it's not advisable to oil rust blued items for a while after you are done with the last boil and clean. Converted black oxide is still a rust oxide, and will react with oil.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I have done quite a bit of research on cold bluing and had not come across your advice.

Great video and very well done thanks for sharing time thanks again and stay safe. 👍👍

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Brian!

Awesome. Thank you for this video

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks For watching Wayne! I just made a playlist with all of the bluing videos in it!

Good video and techniques. Some not so pricey, yet effective. Keep in mind that Super Blue has no rust protection properties unless you start with Rust Bluing at first the Perma Blue then Super Blue.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I think the thin film of oil provides the corrosion protection as shown by the salt spray test I performed on the blued washers.

@ratagris21

3 жыл бұрын

@@357magdad it does, but starting the treatment at the metal helps. The oils only back it up.

My first bluing attempt yielded a mottled blue finish on some polished 1055 steel. I used 4 applications and used steelwool washing off the oils in between cleaning. I also got a rainbow effect on polished 1045 steel which steelwool and washing/alcohol rub did mitigate allowing a more solid looking gunmetal finish. Some imperfections showed slightly still after 5 applications. One thing I noticed with this steel is that some rust-looking film formed after a 30 min or afterwaed. It came off with a clean rag and alcohol, and I coated it with a light polymer which kept it from doing that again. The 1066 steel I did, was perhaps the best probably because of the higher grade. While it was only wirebrush cleaned, I still used the same process as the 1045. Every application came out noticeably darker, even and more cleanly than the others. It became the darkest of all I have done. All these were done in a few hours. I still don't like that it scratches so easily, so I may use a bit of clear coat to protect it more.

@357magdad

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Matthew. I have found that the cold bluing solutions work better if the part is not highly polished. That may be why your 1066 part turned out better. I also soak the part in non detergent 30 weight oil at least over night, usually longer to set the finish. I've got a rust bluing video coming out this weekend that you might find interesting - stay tuned!

Very helpful, thank you

. Nice video, I have watched a few videos on bluing, this is the one that has saved me some money. Bluing would be useless for my tools, I am going to stick with enamel paints after watching this. Thanks.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Paint is a great finish option!

Interesting, informative video. Thanks.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ben!

You tend to use it as a visual accent and that's how I would use it too, so it seems Cold Bluing is the best option for that purpose.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

I agree, the cold bluing the best for making old tools look fancy!

Interesting technique and comparison

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Great video. Thank you

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Interesting experiment, Thanks 👍👍

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Sparky! I have the washers sitting outside it the weather to see what happens.

@Everythings_Adjustable

3 жыл бұрын

@@357magdad 👍 😊

great information....thanks for sharing.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Very interesting. Thank you

@357magdad

6 ай бұрын

I'm glad you found it interesting! Check out my follow up tests: kzread.info/dash/bejne/jGmpxKV9obTdpJc.html kzread.info/dash/bejne/em2n0MmCmLiteZs.html

Very helpful! Thanks

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I'm glad my video was helpful!

That is pretty neat Thank you for the video

@357magdad

10 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Great video, thanks.

@357magdad

3 ай бұрын

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Check out my follow up videos: kzread.info/dash/bejne/jGmpxKV9obTdpJc.html kzread.info/dash/bejne/em2n0MmCmLiteZs.html

Professional work! Very interessant.👍Thank you for share!

@357magdad

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

@jimmycricket5366

Жыл бұрын

Tres bon!

highly informative video. i have made an awning from angle iron that will be exposed to the outdoors, do you suggest bluing or simply applying a coat of epoxy paint will be better?

@357magdad

22 күн бұрын

I think you would be better off painting a large item.

Like the project farm of the tool community!

The cold looks the nicest but the rust stood up to the sanding very well imo. Flame seems to be the easiest (or tied with cold) and it will work on stainless steel too.

@357magdad

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Check out my "improved formula" rust blue video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aaCMx7Zrod2pmZM.html

Can you flame blue but then dip in the bluing salutation? Just asking ....love your content

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I'm not sure - maybe I'll give it a try!

Well done!

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Very well done and executed DIY video. Question: Can 2 cycle motor oil be used for heat bluing? The stuff I have is all ready blue! 😄 Thanks, Wakodahatchee Chris

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I bet any oil would work!

Thanks for the info 👍 been wondering about different coatings... way back in the early 80s I restored a old chest wrapped in tin ..and leather. It was very rough... I used a product called rustmort? It turned the rust dark brown and was very durable! I kept the chest for many years and it never turned.. has anyone heard of this?

nice vid! Thanks. Do you think that boiling in water could also affect the hardening of wheel bolts? I also heard of hydrogen embrittlement. Could the peroxide also affect the strength of wheel bolts?

@357magdad

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! 212 degree water and the low concentration of the common drug store grade hydrogen peroxide I used has no effect on the steel.

Worked great I used rust blue got my trigger solid black

@brodylockley3141

Жыл бұрын

I done it a lot a got way way darker results

Great comparison! I'm still looking for a really durable finish for my tools, but maybe that's just not something that's really realistic for our home shops at reasonable (read: I'm a cheapskate) prices too. Have a great Sunday!

@kennethstephens8046

3 жыл бұрын

Brownells Alumahyde. It’s like duracoat or cerakoat just cheaper and less color options

@mrqsysopr

3 жыл бұрын

Linseed oil diluted with mineral spirits works well on metals. Cheap and easy. I usually follow it up with paste wax.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Alex! I was impressed that the Johnson's paste wax was able to protect against corrosion!

I had no idea boiling red oxide in plain water turned it to black oxide. I'll give it a go

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

The rust bluing held up really well in my extended outdoor test!

Very helpfull, thank you 🙂

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Amos! I have an update on the rust blued washer coming up this weekend!

Thanks!

@357magdad

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

Does the length of time a bluing agent is applied effect either the depth of color, or how deep the blued layer is that results?

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

I've found that leaving the Perma Blue / Super Blue on too long negatively affects the finish. Multiple coats with steel wool buffing in between seems to yield the best results for me.

Brownells gunsmithing catalog has a bunch of different products for bluing. I enjoy your videos and your little buddy.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I want to try their Oxpho Blue next!

Cool stuff! You always do a great job bluing. That perma blue looks like it’s the easiest one to use. However that rust bluing really is fun to watch. 😀👍

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

The rust bluing is fun - I feel like a mad scientist!

I guess you could use a laquer or other transparent coating after bluing to protect it further and retain the nice colour?

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

I tend to use bluing where I don't want to paint. I have tried waxing the parts with success.

I wonder if you can achieve a darker finish with combined techniques and would that make it more corrosion resistant!

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! The cold blue and rust blue will darken with repeated applications. The rust bluing is the best for corrosion protection. Check out my long terms tests! kzread.info/dash/bejne/jGmpxKV9obTdpJc.html kzread.info/dash/bejne/em2n0MmCmLiteZs.html

I don't know if I'll ever have a reason to blue any steel, but it was a neat video.

@357magdad

10 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

can the kosher (rock) salt be subsidized for regular iodized or perhaps sea salt? common logic would indicate so but I can't be sure.

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

You could probably use any kind of salt. I just didn't want the iodine to mess with the results.

This video came up in my Recommended list so I'm a newbie here. What is "flitzed"? EDIT: Never mind, it's just a brand of metal polish I hadn't heard of.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and welcome to the channel! Your gonna see a lot of Flitz in my videos! My shop buddy Chuck insists we use it on everything!

Does there seem to be any particular type of bluing that’s more stronger/resistant to other types?

@357magdad

7 ай бұрын

Check out my testing of rust bluing: kzread.info/dash/bejne/jGmpxKV9obTdpJc.html kzread.info/dash/bejne/em2n0MmCmLiteZs.html

Some samurai armour was coated in a dark rust patina called russet iron (instead of urushi lacquer). Would the rust process shown here be how that was done?

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Could be!

If you shellac’ed the parts in the end, would they be more abrasion resistant?

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

I think the shellac would help with corrosion resistance, but not with abrasion resistance.

There is a fourth one. It's not really bluing but blacking. You heat the metal and dunk it into Linseed oil. You do this several time till you get a nice black finish.

@357magdad

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the suggestion Ray!

What about vinieger or acid itching??

I did try to cold blue couple of nuts, after a while they got covered by a thin layer of rust, which goes with a wipe. Do you have any idea why this is happening?

@357magdad

Жыл бұрын

Make sure you rinse with water after application, then buff with 0000 steel wool and soak in oil.

Hi magdad, It would be great if you could leave these four washers in their current conditions out in the weather for about 6 months. A comparison then would be cool!

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

I put them outside this morning!

@matthewmillar3804

2 жыл бұрын

Update?

I have gotten good results with flame bluing as well

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Flame bluing is really handy for small hardware.

Very interesting😊

@357magdad

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Check out my further tests with these washers: kzread.info/dash/bejne/jGmpxKV9obTdpJc.html kzread.info/dash/bejne/em2n0MmCmLiteZs.html

I have a tip. If you have a nice, blued knife blade, do not use a kydex sheath. They are brutal.

Also do nitre bluing and caustic bluing. Non-binder Charcoal straight, charcoal with added charred bone, charcoal with added bone and pre-1973 ATF (which is whale oil.)

@357magdad

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Both of those methods are beyond what I want to try in my small basement shop.

Nice video.

@357magdad

5 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Interesting Video! Cool!!

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bill! I have a follow up video coming soon!

@lotsabirds

3 жыл бұрын

@@357magdad Merry 🎄

Very interesting!!🇺🇸🇺🇸

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

I thought it would be good reference to have all three methods in one video.

It would be interesting to know what kind of reaction is taking place in cold bluing.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

I believe the cold bluing deposits a coating of copper on the part with chemicals added to make it appear black.

@johnsmith-sp6yl

Жыл бұрын

difference in reduction potential between iron and selenium dioxide. iron is oxidized to iron (II) (III) oxide, magnetite. selenium is reduced to elemental selenium. black color is from the magnetite.

That "heat blueing" that you're talking about is known as "color case hardening".

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Color case hardening is a different, more complicated process that hardens the surface of the steel and adds color based on chemicals added when heating.

Heat bluing works better if you heat the part on a bed of metal chips that you heat from below. More even, gives great results.

@357magdad

6 ай бұрын

OK thanks!

@Tasarran

6 ай бұрын

@@357magdad have you ever seen Clickspring?

I just put stuff on top of the kitchen gas cooker until il glows red, then dump it into a can containing oil. Any oil.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Flame bluing is an option - just make sure the "stuff" you heat glowing red isn't heat treated (like a blade or tool).

Also oil blacking. Heat as hot as willing to go, preferably cherry then dip in dirty engine oil. However for superior results send the parts for chemical blacking at your local plating company. Ensure the parts have as good a finish as possible prior to plating. This is how engineering companies do it.

@357magdad

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Brian! Be careful, heating the part to cherry red will remove the temper. You may also make the part brittle by quenching it too quickly in the oil.

Very informative Magdad. Thanks. I just blued a King Dick wrench with great results. Will put in upcoming video.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks John! I'm glad you had success with the bluing! I got your package - thank you!

Thanks for showing 3 ways of doing this ..I am going to try flame blueing on a project part

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

If your careful, you can tune into the exact shade of blue / purple before quenching in oil.

Was Chuck blue after you Flitzed the washers?

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

Chuck got upset when I scratched his Flitzed washer with my pocket knife!

The problem with Cold Bluing is it has no resistance to abrasion, acids from fingerprints, nor chemicals used to clean guns.

@357magdad

2 ай бұрын

Cold blue is mostly for looks.

Doesn't tap water introduce other chemicals into the process?? I would of thought distilled water or just an acetone bath would be better.

@357magdad

3 ай бұрын

I'm not sure what "process" you are talking about. I used distilled water for rust bluing. Cold bluing manufacturers recommend rinsing in tap water.

thanks i used the hot blueing on some stripper clipps

@357magdad

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

So you Spritzed the Flitz?

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

The Flitz was spritzed!

what kind of oils can you use for bluing?

@357magdad

2 жыл бұрын

I use canola oil for quenching.

There is many types of cold bluing. Some work better than others.

@357magdad

3 жыл бұрын

I've had good results with Birchwood Casey's Perma Blue and Super Blue. I've heard good things about Oxpho Blue - I'd like to give it a try next!

Whale oil used to be the preferred oil back in the day. Not so much of it around these days I guess...

@357magdad

Жыл бұрын

That is interesting Martin!