BIRCHWOOD CASEY - Perma Blue

Simple to use. Easy to understand directions. Also, had great results for blueing an area on my barrel that had exposed steel. Blended perfectly with existing blueing.

I have used this solution for years on my knives to protect and finish them. I have gone as dark as a gunmetal blue grey without heat and as light as a turquoise blue. The coating is like all oxides and will eventually rub off if scratched by another hard surface but to maximise the effect I have bathed my parts in a brief acid bath, wash with purified water, and lightly sanded with a 1000 grt sandpaper, then applied the product. Heating will also achieve a more resistant result but it depends on the desired depth and effect.Multiple coats may need to be applied. You are creating a layer of oxide here not adding paint, the outer surface is going to scratch so if you get the product into the metal a little bit your finish will be more durable.

I have used this product for years, the older the bottle the better it works. I just take to 400 to 600 grit finish leaving deep scratches, pitting and battle scars, clean 3 times with 91% iso-alcohol, apply blue, wait 1 hour, clean with alcohol, rub down with oil soaked 0000 steel wool. 3-4 applications gives a deep black, great for carry or hunting guns, knives, tools, artwork. Wouldn't use for collectible or fine firearms.

it does work, but honestly depends on the type of steel, some items look like hot blue, some items are more of a blue gray color. this blue does not like highly polished items as well as it looks a grey color. only good parts i have blued were small parts soaked in it for a minute then rinsed and steel wooled then dipped again. they need to rethink this formula as its a hit or miss product.

It guess this is one of those products you'll use if nothing else is available, and I'm actually surprised that Brownells even bothers with selling it anymore. Oxpho-Blue and Dicropan work much better, and they don't stink like Perma Blue does. You can immediately tell if a gun has been touched up with Perma Blue, just by the smell (good gun show tip, by the way). Oxpho-Blue and Dicropan also give you a longer lasting finish and they don't after rust. I look at Perma Blue as a "Walmart grade" product, and there's definitely better options.