OXPHO-BLUE® Reviews & Ratings
Reviews Summary
Overall, customers are very impressed with OXPHO-BLUE® for its effectiveness and ease of use in cold bluing, yielding professional-quality finishes even for beginners. While many praise its reliability and helpful results, a few express disappointment with a recent formula change affecting consistency. However, the positives overwhelmingly dominate the feedback.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Effectiveness and Quality
85%
The product is consistently described as highly effective, with many users reporting impressive, professional-quality results. Customers find that OXPHO-BLUE® restores or enhances the appearance of firearms and other metal items, producing a deep, rich finish that rivals factory bluing.
Ease of Use
72%
Reviewers frequently mention the product's user-friendly application process, noting that it is suitable for both novices and experienced users. Many appreciate the straightforward instructions and the quick results, making it an attractive option for touch-ups or complete refinishing.
Preparation Is Key
60%
Numerous users emphasize the importance of properly preparing the metal surfaces before application. Effective cleaning and degreasing are mentioned as crucial steps that significantly impact the final results, highlighting the product's need for careful prep work.
Concerns About Formula Changes
20%
A smaller group of reviewers indicates they have noticed variability with the current formula, leading to lighter or less smooth finishes compared to previous experiences. While not widespread, this concern suggests that some customers feel that quality may be inconsistent with newer batches.
Oxpho blue
Well I don't write a lot of reviews but I thought this product was worth a review I gave it five stars because it wouldn't let me give it a 6 easy to use easy to blend with other blue this is my number one go to for gun bluing I won't use anything else
Great cold blueing
My 1860 Army by Pietta needed to have the loading groove on the barrel lug opened up so paper cartridges and conical's could be loaded. (Pietta makes this area too shallow for them.) A couple of years ago I went through all the different files and grades of emery cloth finishing up with #0000 steel wool. The cold bluing (a competitors brand) never looked good. I took the surface areas back down and used Oxypho Blue this time and nearly had a good matching blue on the first application. The color was quick and easy. It took two applications. Follow the instructions and you will not be disappointed at all in this product.
Excellent bluing product!
This is my go-to for bluing gun steel. No need to have hot or cold water sitting by. Directions are pretty simple, I have found this process most effective: 1-clean/degrease surface with bore cleaner and #000 or #0000 steel wool, both at the same time. 2-dry surface 3-dip cotton ball in oxpho bluing solution 4-dab on a fairly 'wet' coating of solution, and rub in until absorbed in metal/cotton ball. 5-either dry off excess with new cotton ball, or go ahead and rub in solution with #000 steel wool. 6-repeat steps 2 to 5 for additional costs, I found after about 3 coats I get a nice, rich dark black finish. I let the solution sit or cure for a couple hours, room temp. 7-lastly, final wipe clean with bore cleaner and then coating of gun oil. Again, I can't say how nice of a finish this leaves. Absolutely great! Hope that info helps anyone interested!
Awesome
I used this to help redo the finish on my 12 year old 870 Express. I followed the simple directions, and redid the last coat 4 times and the gun came out with a nice even black finish. I coated it next with a heavy coat of Rem Oil and then wiped it down and the finish looks almost brand new. I am very pleased and will make sure to keep a bottle handy in my cleaning kit. I mostly have field grade hunting arms so this is just what I need to keep the finished up after they see use and abuse.
Amazing stuff.
Why haven't I tried this stuff before?!? I have an old Remington model 12 that someone had gotten quite aggressive with the abrasive removing rust and left parts of the little .22 almost white. I went to work with the Oxpho-blue liquid and working small areas, lots of elbow grease and burnishing with #0000 steel wool between applications, it looked like beautiful aged factory blue in 2-3 "coats". I kick myself for not trying this on an old 1906 Winchester that I had hot blued. I could've restored the factory finish rather than making it look "too new". Fantastic product! Easy to use, forgiving of technique and looks great. Five stars, only because I can't give it more.
Best "Cold Blue" Product I have used.
Oxpho-Blue was purchased, not gifted. MY EXPERIENCE: In the past 3 decades I have "cold blued " barrels,.receivers, slides, frames, hammers, pins, fasteners, etc. Still, I consider myself a novice, NOT a professional. Some "cold bluing" products work better than others for various reasons (e.g., ambient environmental conditions, pre-blue preparation, the steel alloy being blued, cleanliness, contamination, skill and bluing products' "niche" techniques, etc.). All brands have satisfied and dissatisfied users ... for reasons that are mind numbing. Based solely on my personal experience, the ONLY "cold bluing" product that I will/do recommend is Brownell's Oxpho-Blue. I have always achieved acceptable, and often superior, finishes. I cannot say the same for other Brands. RECENT: This past weekend I spent 12+ hours preparing a 1911 steel slide for bluing. Sunday afternoon i cleaned off my bench/work area. Instead of O-B, I had purchased Brand B, another well respected "cold bluing" gel product. A "shooting buddy" strongly recommended Brand B as " a much better product ... well suited for your job." My research indicated that it IS popular and VERY highly rated by lots of HAPPY users. MY BOTTOM LUNE: After 6 hours and 3 failed bluing attempts, I stopped and stepped back. I re-read reviews, re-watched on-line instructions (including videos by the manufacturer) and re-evaluated my work/results. I WAS CLUELESS. NOW WHAT: 1) 20 minutes ago I reordered Oxpho-Blue from Brownell's. 2) The slide for the 1911 is prepped and ready. 3) Relax: It is like Christmas ... waiting for my O-B to be delivered. 4) Remember: "If it ain't broke don't fix it." 5) Remember: "Friend, better is the enemy of good enough." PRODUCT ISSUES: What's wrong with O-B? I am unable to identify any product things to fix/improve Packaging/container options need to be evaluated. An acidic product that is affected by oxygen in air, once opened, the O-B quickly destroys the bottle cap's cardboard-back/thin-metal-seal. Sometimes, if I use the "appropriate" amount of plastic food wrap, the bottle and cap will seal. Sometimes. IDEA: I have purchased two lab-quality, plastic bottles with SS application tips (these use soft, positive-seal end caps), and leak-tite bottle caps. I will transfer O-B to my new containers and check for function and leakage.
Good stuff
I bought a 10 s&w Police hand gun turn in some holster ware some lite rust a little of Brownells blue & 0000 steel wool and wipe down with gun oil. Savings of about $300 bucks
Great Stuff to Use
I have used this product on various guns from spot touch-ups to full shotguns. Couldn't be happier with the results. Proper prep and cleaning seem to help. Heating the metal prior to application and coating the metal in heavy oil for a few days when done has lead to some excellent results. One of the best is when I restored a gun that had been in a fire and then left out in a shed for 6 months. The before and after photos are attached and are quite amazing to show what you can do with OXPHO-BLUE. It is a gun product I always keep on hand now.
Great product
I used this product to revive a Winchester model 1906. It was in pretty rough shape with much surface rust and grime. After careful cleaning and removal of the surface rust, some sanding and proper application of the Oxpho-Blue the pieces turned out beautiful, better than I hoped for. This was my first attempt at re-bluing a gun which looked hopelessly ruined by negligence and the ravages of 100 years. I will definitely buy this product again. The 4 ounce bottle was sufficient to do this one gun. I will be buying the bigger bottle next time.
Excellent Carbon Steel Cold Blue
This is an excellent cold bluing solution. I've used it to touch up many firearms with excellent results! I even used it on a ring I made to practice filing techniques. Finish is very important! The finer the finish, the better shine you can get by using the #0000 steel wool. Excellent videos as well as the instructions on the bottle.


