It works great. Do not plug the barrel. The blue is actually a rusting process and does not affect the bore in a negative way. Actually barrels that were blued seemed to seal better than non-blued steel barrels (read it somewhere and factories don't plug barrels). No Aluminum as it off-gases and you can be harmed.
The lye when you mix it in water will get real warm, stir in small amounts and allow it to go into a salt solution. Use a regular steel rod to stir in the fertilizer and when it mixes it will start to blue the rod (it's really neat to watch).
Use an enamel pot or steel made for bluing. I used a stainless steel the first time and it imparted a plum color and can impart a rainbow hue. The Colt I did turned out good and I really like the slight plum color. It gives it an antique color to me. The springer came out better than the factory bluing originally on the gun.
Lye=Drain cleaner, try not to get it on you or it will burn your skin. Wear rubber gloves and face shield just in case. The bore will often vent mist/vapor and can hurt you if you have your noggin right up near it as you dip it in hot water. The gun will be over 212 degrees F and when it hits even boiling water it will vent and bubble. In a tube/bore it can be an issue.
The salts can be used over again until they fail to blue. So far a Colt Woodsman and a Springer 1911 have been done and have a T/C pistol waiting to be blued.
More links if you are looking: http://www.blindhogg.com/homemadesalts.html
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_19/261805_.html
The lye when you mix it in water will get real warm, stir in small amounts and allow it to go into a salt solution. Use a regular steel rod to stir in the fertilizer and when it mixes it will start to blue the rod (it's really neat to watch).
Use an enamel pot or steel made for bluing. I used a stainless steel the first time and it imparted a plum color and can impart a rainbow hue. The Colt I did turned out good and I really like the slight plum color. It gives it an antique color to me. The springer came out better than the factory bluing originally on the gun.
Lye=Drain cleaner, try not to get it on you or it will burn your skin. Wear rubber gloves and face shield just in case. The bore will often vent mist/vapor and can hurt you if you have your noggin right up near it as you dip it in hot water. The gun will be over 212 degrees F and when it hits even boiling water it will vent and bubble. In a tube/bore it can be an issue.
The salts can be used over again until they fail to blue. So far a Colt Woodsman and a Springer 1911 have been done and have a T/C pistol waiting to be blued.
More links if you are looking: http://www.blindhogg.com/homemadesalts.html
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_19/261805_.html