Snowdog
Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 4,608
A friend of mine picked up a Winchester 94 .30-30 (manufactured in '71 according to the serial numbers) for $120 that was mechanically sound, but had a rough exterior. There was surface rust here and there, with light pitting on the side plate. I told him if he was willing to let me practice my refinishing skills (I don't have any, thus the need to practice) I would be more than happy do it for free.
I sanded the stock and applied tung oil, which brought out a beautiful tiger-stripe pattern.
Success!
After the stock, I got to work on the surface rust and pits by buffing it out with a felt wheel and polishing compound. Finally, I tried to apply the blue (Birchwood Casey).
First off, the blue wasn't even... dark in some places and lighter in others. I minimized this by using a fine pad of steel wool. However, it's still blotchy.
Second, the crap started coming off after applying oil.
I've followed the instructions to the letter; never cutting a corner.
I even went as far as removing the blue with Birchwood Casey blue and rust remover, thoroughly cleaning the surface and repeating the process... it still looks horrible.
So, it cold blue generally this difficult to work with (results wise) or I'm I just a screw-up?
If it is likely the product, what else can I use to get a decent deep blue? How are firearms blued at the factory and is that something I can do myself? I refuse to hand back his rifle while looking like this!
Thanks in advance!
I sanded the stock and applied tung oil, which brought out a beautiful tiger-stripe pattern.
Success!
After the stock, I got to work on the surface rust and pits by buffing it out with a felt wheel and polishing compound. Finally, I tried to apply the blue (Birchwood Casey).
First off, the blue wasn't even... dark in some places and lighter in others. I minimized this by using a fine pad of steel wool. However, it's still blotchy.
Second, the crap started coming off after applying oil.
I've followed the instructions to the letter; never cutting a corner.
I even went as far as removing the blue with Birchwood Casey blue and rust remover, thoroughly cleaning the surface and repeating the process... it still looks horrible.
So, it cold blue generally this difficult to work with (results wise) or I'm I just a screw-up?
If it is likely the product, what else can I use to get a decent deep blue? How are firearms blued at the factory and is that something I can do myself? I refuse to hand back his rifle while looking like this!
Thanks in advance!