EXPRESS BLUE #1 Reviews & Ratings

No damp cabinets or long rusting periods required to get top-quality, good-looking blues. Heat gun or part to 150°-200° F. with propane torch; swab on solution, immerse in boiling water for 5 minutes and card with soft wire wheel or fine steel wool. Repeat the application of solution and boiling until color wanted is achieved, then neutralize. Complete instructions included.

SPECS: 4 oz. (118.2ml) and 16 oz. (473ml) net contents bottles. Detailed instructions.

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2 Stars

1 Stars

Reviews Summary

Overall, customers rave about the Mark Lee Express Blue #1, highlighting its effectiveness and user-friendliness. Many are impressed by the quality of the finish it produces, often remarking it rivals more expensive competitors. A few users emphasize the importance of meticulous prep work and following instructions closely for the best results.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Ease of Use

79%

Reviewers commonly express satisfaction with how straightforward the Mark Lee Express Blue #1 is to use, often describing the process as accessible even for first-time users. Many mention that by carefully following the instructions and taking time with preparation, they achieve excellent results with relative ease.

Finish Quality

74%

A significant number of reviews focus on the exceptional quality of the finish produced by this product. Customers highlight that the resulting deep blue finish often surpasses their expectations and can even compare to factory finishes. The durability of the finish is also frequently praised.

Preparation and Process Importance

56%

Many users stress that thorough preparation is key to achieving the best results with Express Blue. Specific mentions about degreasing, sanding, and working with heat indicate that those who invest time in the initial steps see superior outcomes. Attention to detail is deemed crucial for success.

Value for Money

44%

Several reviewers note that the product offers excellent value relative to its performance, often stating that it outperforms more expensive alternatives. Users feel they receive professional-level results at a fraction of the cost, which adds to their overall satisfaction.

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A very good rust blue...

The Mark Lee Express Blue #1 is very good...nearly as good as Brownells Classic Rust Blue and easier and faster to use as well as less expensive. Different grades of steel can give different results so I have to keep that in mind when providing a review. Preparation is key as well as following the procedure to the letter. Do that and you will be happy with the results.

Would you recommend this? Yes, I would recommend to a friend

This stuff works

Very thorough instructions... Polished parts to 400 and it gives a beautiful deep glossy blue thats almost black....the better the prep and pollish the better the bluing

by MICHAEL L. on November 20, 2023

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Was this review helpful? 1

Great Stuff

This is the first bluing product I have ever used, but I did my research and decided to go with a rust-bluing solution instead of a cold blue product. From the reviews I read it just seems that cold blue solutions are adequate at best, and are most often disappointing. Plus, I understand a bit about metalurgy and can't accept that a "cold" blue application suffices. Mark Lee makes the process fairly easy, yet it is still time consuming, requires the right tools, and patience. With that said, I blued the metal on an old mauser and must say that it looks great. After 6 applications I have a shining dark blue finish. Mind you, it's not that deep blue-black you find on a new "hot" blued gun, but it looks great. In fact, it really fits older firearms. I wholeheartedly recommend this product!

Better than expected

Easy to follow instructions. Very forgiving formula. Excellent results. this product requires no damp box. A good choice for shops or individuals with limited space and equipment. Heat gun was a good substitute to the suggested propane torch.