Blueing touch up failure

[old codger]

I have a 1950 vintage Savage 99 that has a spot on the barrel which will not respond to cold bluing. The spot looks like it came from carrying the gun in a gun rack in a pickup. Have been using Burchwood Casey Super Blue and following the directions exactly. I have touched up numerous guns before and never ran into this.

 

[akajun]

I have a 1950 vintage Savage 99 that has a spot on the barrel which will not respond to cold bluing. The spot looks like it came from carrying the gun in a gun rack in a pickup. Have been using Burchwood Casey Super Blue and following the directions exactly. I have touched up numerous guns before and never ran into this.

Clean it really well with brake ckeaner
Scuff it up with steel wool
Clean it again
Then warm it with a heat gun and try again

 

[pintopete]

Try the above...

I have had good luck using Windex after Brakleen. Windex is basically a detergent and ammonia, very good at removing oils. Heat gun helps a lot.

 

[ronemus]

Brownell's OxphoBlue has worked very well for me - Much better than Burchwood Casey, It doesn't produce the deep, dark blue that hot bluing does, but the shade is the same.

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

I have had that happen when the bluing wear occurs with some burnishing. Careful application of some naval jelly or toilet bowl cleaner will etch the surface enough to let the bluing bite.
Heavy emphasis on "careful application"!
Rinse well after etching, as you don't want any acid residue.

 

[Ben H]

I've recently tried Van's Gun Blue and have been very impressed.

 

[SBS]

Take a piece of new 0000 steel wool and remove the oil from it (yes it has a little oil to deter rust) with acetone. Dip it in the cold blue and gently rub the spot. Usually works well on any spots with cold blue. Use latex gloves, produces a lot of heat and can easily stain the fingers.