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AR15.COM
3/19/2026 4:26:54 PM EDT
That decided to boil/refinish on you own,
What rust blue solution did you use go with?

I’m in the functional/shooter stage after disassembly/reassembly of a 1917 Erfurt that spent decades in an attic in a holster.






3/20/2026 5:03:16 PM EDT
[#1]
It wasn’t a Luger.  I used Pilkington’s, which  I have now discovered is no longer available.  Brownells now sells their own classic rust blue, which is supposed to be very similar. There are others out there also.
3/21/2026 7:54:58 AM EDT
[#2]
Mark Lee Express Blue #1


From this


To this:
4/3/2026 9:37:17 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Andyd:
Mark Lee Express Blue #1


From this
https://i.postimg.cc/6pcJWwvc/Mauser_C96.jpg

To this:
https://i.postimg.cc/WzyfQCWn/Mauser_C96.jpg
View Quote


That turned out PERFECT.

You should do this for a living.
"The two things men never get to old to play with, electric trains and boobies." - substandard

"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." - Mark Twain
4/6/2026 7:50:27 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Andyd][Edited] [#4]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Chris_1522:


That turned out PERFECT.

You should do this for a living.
View Quote


Thanks,
rust bluing is very labor-intensive but it can be done without expensive equipment. The preparation is basically degreasing and sanding the surfaces. One does not need to even sand it with very fine sandpaper, since the bluing can adhere better to the "teeth" in the surface.
The number of applications will lead to a darker and thicker blue, since each application forms a new layer that also has to wear down individually.

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