Zinc Bluing... Again

Post by 2Sharp

I was rummaging through francky's site and planning future investments

He's selling some liquid that suggests that zinc can be blued, has anyone tried this out?

I know there have been some experimenting done earlier, but i got somewhat curious about this
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Post by BRMoore

I can't imagine why you couldn't blue any metal if you got the right sorta stuff...just how long will it last?
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Post by ljerr2

Guys,
I have bought some of this from Francky. It works. I have used it to touch up scuffs and scratches. I did a little filing and sanding on a zinc feed ramp on one of my models and then used this stuff. You can't even see I was there now.

Anyone who has the model gun addiction should have some of this stuff.
That's my two cents.

Post by 2sharp

Good info ljerr2!

Has anyone tried it on the gold colored Marushin/kokusai model guns?

I'd love to be able to make a few of those black...
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I need more model guns...

The holy quest for modelgun information and knowledge will never-ever end!!

Post by Phil_D

I have chemically blackened an old zinc frame, which came out reasonably well, it now has that matt grey/black worn look.

Havent tried Francky's blue stuff, does it blue or blacken the metal?
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Post by 8ace

I don’t think that the gold coloured coatings will black as most blacking solutions rely on them going down on the base metals and I haven’t seen on for use on zinc dichromate (which I think is the gold plating on model guns)

8ace

Post by Spencerman

So I guess that a few of you will start polishing your gold guns to make them silver in order to turn them blue!
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Post by shazhib

8ace,

Is that same thing for nickel coating, not been dyed well?
Because most of zinc modelgun been nickel coadted before gold.

Regarding dyeing small parts made from zinc. we usually use "aluminum blue" from Birchwood. "steel blue" may not turn out a good result.

Post by 8ace

It could be as anything that stops the bluing solution from contacting with the base metal will stop it working (or not work as well).

I have had good results when using a steel blue on my Marushin Lugar but it was a slightly brown/blue rather that black/blue.

I'm in no way a plating/bluing expert and I have had mixed success with both steel and zinc parts. The combination of base metal preparation, which bluing solution used and application all seem to make a difference on the finish.

The one thing that helps the final finish is wiping all over with light machine oil at the very end.

8Ace

Post by Mark

The fact that "bluing" solutions are meant for ferris materials and zinc isn't really in this class should not be forgotten. The fact that any bluing solutions work at all is fascinating. The finish that we all strive to achieve is highly dependent on the polish/cleanliness of the subject material albeit zinc or steel. I blued the grip strap on my Marushin Browning HP a few months ago and the bluing has yet to come off due to careful surface prep. I polished the area until it shown like a mirror. I then cleaned/degreased the part according to the Birchwood Casey's "Super blue"(liquid) instructions. The part came out with a dark even blue that to this point has lasted. So, I believe with some work it can be done.
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MGC MP40 Marushin MP40 Nakata MP40 TRC MP40

Modelgun manufacturers, past and present:CMC,CAW,Hudson,HWS,LS,MGC(R.I.P. 1960's~2007) Marushin,Marui,Kokusai,Shoei,Tanaka and Western Arms

Post by GZ22

Phil_D wrote:

I have chemically blackened an old zinc frame, which came out reasonably well, it now has that matt grey/black worn look.

Can you remember which product you used? I'd really like to make my Browning look black, as opposed to the grey colour it currently is.

Post by Phil_D

yup, it is called Black-It and available from www.black-it.co.uk
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Too many to list now and the collection has stopped still growing.

Post by GZ22

Excellent - thank you for the helping hand - I'll check it out.