Gun Blueing the Gas Tank - Updated - Finshed with Pictures

Re: Gun Blueing the Gas Tank

While searching for results with Caswell's Black Oxide kit, I stumbled onto Brownell's Oxpho Blue. Looks easy enough and semi forgiving for a beginner. I think I will go with this route.

Tank and blue goop will hopefully be here by next week.
 
Re: Gun Blueing the Gas Tank

this probably isn't true, but this redneck kid i went to high school said in the old days, they used to blue muzzle loader barrels by heating them up and dipping them in cow pee, haha :)
 
Re: Gun Blueing the Gas Tank

I'd give it a try except for the fact that I live in the middle of a city!

The fact that people might misunderstand my intentions if they saw me following a cow while carrying a bucket is also a factor.

Crazy


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Re: Gun Blueing the Gas Tank

I bought a steel sheet to give it a test run...and it came out brown...is this because the oxpho blue is reacting weird to this metal? hopefully it doesn't happen on the gas tank...

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Re: Gun Blueing the Gas Tank

Very cool idea of blueing the tank, I like it a lot.

I've done a little blueing on a couple of my guns, a few thoughts/suggestions:

Make sure the tank is very clean before you start. Any little bit of dirt, oil, etc. will not let the blue react with the metal and will leave "blotches". When you think you've got the tank clean enough, clean it again ;) Use rubber gloves when handling it too.

To get a good even finish, dipping the part would be the best route to go, but that's not really practical for a part of this size... If it were me, I'd try spraying it on. If that's not an option for you, maybe a small foam roller would work ok to cover the large areas. Work quickly.

As far as a clear coat over the blue... I wouldn't even try it. Very regularly applying gun oil or a good coat of wax should be all that is needed... keeping the bike out of the rain will help too ;D

My $.02, take it for what it's worth ;)

Good luck
 
Re: Gun Blueing the Gas Tank

I've used quite a bit of blueing on bikes, copper, brass, steel, and aluminum. I do not suggest it anywhere near fuel where it could get splashed on or anywhere it would be touched often unless you can find a compatible clearcoat.
 
Re: Gun Blueing the Gas Tank

I'd think that 2K Spray clear would be okay on gun blue... Maybe send them an email.
 
Re: Gun Blueing the Gas Tank

Use corks/rubber plugs in the petcock hole/holes. Use a plumber's test plug in the gas cap hole. Keeps the compound out of where you really don't want it. Be ready to do the coat, oxidize, clean, repeat process several times. You won't get a good color the first couple applications. Once you hit the right shade, hot seal it with floor carnuba like the bowling alleys use... We Parkerized a rigid frame swap XLCR 900 years ago, still looks fine, trimmings were hot blued and still holding up the last time I saw it.

If you get fed up with the process have the tank black chromed like old Winchester lever actions. I hunted with my old .30/30 all season, even in high humidity, not a single spec of rust to be found anywhere. And in Dixie, everything rusts...
 
Re: Gun Blueing the Gas Tank

I determined the feasibility is not good on this project, the fuel and rust were too difficult to overcome.

What I decided to go with instead was a transparent / black chrome powdercoat over the polished tank.
 
Re: Gun Blueing the Gas Tank

Could overcome the rust issue by using an alloy tank. Something off a TT or XT 500 is a possibility. Not sure how it would take to blueing.
 
Re: Gun Blueing the Gas Tank

Havent been in here in a while. Time to work on my projects lol.
Anyways, I work in the firearms industry and have to say that a blued bike would be a NIGHTMARE!!!!
Bluing is a form of rust. Any oil, any fingerprints, any moisture is going to rust QUICK. Just be forwarned... would look tits tho...
 
Re: Gun Blueing the Gas Tank

Can someone direct me to a link showing the color you are trying to get. I'll see what powder I can get to match.
 
Re: Gun Blueing the Gas Tank

JiveTalkinRobot said:
Don't want to spend too much time looking this type of stuff on a work PC but something like this:

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Click to expand...

That looks nickel-plated, not blued, at least on my monitor...
 
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