I'm rust bluing a barrel.  The first pass everything looked like it was copper colored after steamingfor 25 minutes. I re- read the directions and I think  put too much solution on, according to the manual.  What it doesn't say is how to fix it. Will it go away with subsequent passes, or do I need to polish back down to white metal and start over?

I don't have a tank large enough to boil barrels in so I'm using a steam chamber. I was under the understanding that steaming was better than boiling. Do you think some of my problems are from not boiling?

I too don't have a tank big enough. I resorted to utilizing a long 3" PVC tube with the barrel suspended in it, dump in distilled water that was brought to a rolling boil, cap and let sit for ten minutes, remove, card, repeat process. Working with a plywood damp box (stainless steel pan of distilled water on hot plate lowest setting), Rust Blue Solutions solution, and standard protocols for level of polish and utter cleanliness, this method has proven reliable and repeatable - anywhere from five to eight cycles produces an even finish. With the barrel still warm after the final carding I rub oil on it, let sit overnight, wipe down and re-oil. 

What started out as a case of desperation to avoid buying a large stainless steel tank proved to be very satisfactory so I've continued with it.

As with stock finishing, this topic draws out a lot of opinions/advice.

Can bluing solution go bad?
Can steam be contaminated?
I've striped and tried again,  still getting a copper color, went really light on the solution,  also there's dark specs all over this thing.
I'm about to try another solution and a fresh steam pot. I can't figure out why this isn't working.  I've had success with my current set up before

I've never had bluing solution go "bad". I don't think steam can be  contaminated, as long as the water used to make the steam is pure.

I recently rust blued a bunch of stuff, had one piece that had been buffer polished that absolutely would not work.  Finally, I sanded it off with 400 wet/dry and started over.  It still would not rust, and had just a light copper color for the first couple cycles after steaming.   

What I did is scrub it thoroughly with dishwashing detergent after steaming and carding, and just kept re-applying solution and steaming after minimal rust showed.  Eventually it worked out okay.  My thought is that the buffing forced wax into the ores of the metal from the heat and pressure, and that sealed it off.

craigster wrote on Jun 2^nd, 2023 at 10:58am:

What if theres "stuff" in the pot I'm making steam with,  say grease or oil, will it travel with the vapors?

I'm literally starting from scratch. I orded new rust solution,  new pot for steaming. I can't figure out what is wrong.  It's the worst looking rust blue I've ever done. (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Hebes405 wrote on Jun 2^nd, 2023 at 4:21pm:


Yes, I would say "stuff" in the pot could contaminate the steam. I have never had stellar results with steaming. Boiling has always worked for me.