Birchwood Casey Super Blue
 

I've used it for touch ups, but how does a complete reblue stand up to normal usage?

Yes, I plan to thoroughly clean with BCE cleaner, use nitrite gloves, and have clean swabs.

No cold blue will hold up well, regardless of what it says on the package. The gun will also look terrible, regardless of the surface prep.

In general, I don't think cold blue holds up to wear as well as a hot blue- but Blue Wonder comes close. With any metal blue, metal prep is the key. Warm metal blues better than cold.

Birchwood Casey is crap.

Brownells Oxpho blue is good stuff. My dad did an HR revolver with it and it looks Great still, he did it 6 years ago.

Be careful of the cleaner, don't let it anywhere near a spring.

Any seasoned collector can spot a cold-blued gun from across the room, no matter how "good" it looks. Cold blue is for touch ups. Even Oxpho Blue.

Thank you for the opinions. Cold bluing is out. I cannot find anyone in the area who hot blues. Any suggestions?

What is it that you are seeking to blue? A JC Higgins single shot 22 rifle, or a Diana Grade Browning shotgun? There are smiths that do bluing (and rebluing) well. Problem is, if there is not one in your area, you will need to get gun to him. Rifle or shotgun, not bad on $$$ for shipping by US Mail. Handgun? OUCH! About $70 one way.

The slide is a 1911a1 commercial Colt, the frame is a 1911A1 SA U.S. ARMY with the US property stamp (and GHD inspector mark)

Here's where we send our firearms out to. They do an outstanding job.

www.apwcogan.com/

Accurate Plating & Weaponry, Inc.

super blue
 

I have several Mausers that I built 30 to 35 years ago. They have always lookrd good and they still do. I uses Super Blue on all my blueing jobs touchup and full. Never have had much luck with the oxpho blue. Maybe its my technique/