Bluing steel

[Freddy Salgado]

Anyone try this process on a frame? Looks like a few ways to go about it.

Bluing (steel) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Craig Ryan]

I did some experimentation with this a few years ago. It can sort of work, but I came to the conclusion it didn't work well enough to pursue. I think the Chromium content in bicycle tubing steel was the problem, but I'm speculating. The best I could get was mottled looking gray.
Craig

[Bobqzz]

In my experience with guns, bluing is a very high maintenance coating- not really suitable for a bike

[Dave Thompson]

The 'best' bluing requires a hot tank big enough to immerse the object to be blued, it's is a dirty, noxious process. Cold bluing doesn't use these tanks but doesn't offer any rust protection and can look really crappy very easily.

[Freddy Salgado]

muchos gracias for input.

[Andrew R Stewart]

I've cold blued a few home made tools and see rust after a while in a moist basement. It does look cool though. Andy.

[rphetteplace]

Google guncoat Salsa or look at Milwaukee bicycles at Benscycle.net. They work with a company in Wisconsin that does it. I've not seen the bikes in person though.