Bicycle Mechanics - Gun Finishing

After stripping my steel frame, I bought a Gun Blue Creme -G96 from the gun shop, the creme acts very quickly and the frame now has an uneven brownish black finish. It looks horrible and dull. The gunsmith suggested WD40 after application of the gun blue to stop the reactions, now my frame is oily! I am going to degrease it and clear coat it, this will bring some shine to the frame. Hopefully the clear coat will stick to the frame. aah well at least its unique. If this doesn't work I will have to sand it down again. Any suggestions?

After stripping my steel frame, I bought a Gun Blue Creme -G96 from the gun shop, the creme acts very quickly and the frame now has an uneven brownish black finish. It looks horrible and dull. The gunsmith suggested WD40 after application of the gun blue to stop the reactions, now my frame is oily! I am going to degrease it and clear coat it, this will bring some shine to the frame. Hopefully the clear coat will stick to the frame. aah well at least its unique. If this doesn't work I will have to sand it down again. Any suggestions?
One reason that the Gun Blue isn't giving you that nice finish is because the tubing of your frame doesn't have uniform metal density. By that I mean a firearm is drop forged or hammer forged, compacting the metal to a uniform density all around. Tubing on the other hand is is drawn or extruded thus having minor differences in the density of the metal. Plus Gun Blue, or any of the G96 products are intended for touch-up work on scratches or worn areas. Plus, different grades of steel will result in different colorations when blued. If you really want to gun blue your frame, take it to a gunsmith that does hot tank bluing.

No disrespect, but what you are doing now is sort of hopeless. You won't get an even finish, the clear coat will not adhere to your frame very well, and you'll wind up with something that no one will want to steal.

Well I have given up on the Gun finishing, went sanding and took all of the gun blue off, now I have a very shiny mirror, almost stainless steel finish, how do I keep that finish? Can clear coat stick to this very smooth finish?

One reason that the Gun Blue isn't giving you that nice finish is because the tubing of your frame doesn't have uniform metal density. By that I mean a firearm is drop forged or hammer forged, compacting the metal to a uniform density all around. LOL... Gun steel is also investment cast using the lost wax method, and such material taks blue quite well. Other gun steel is turned from bar stock and also takes blue quite well. Cold blue just does not work well on any big job.

What caliber bike do you have? Is it a Ruger or Smith and wesson? ;)

What caliber bike do you have? Is it a Ruger or Smith and wesson? ;)

Smith and Wesson actually do have a line of Cop patrol bicycles.

(I'd post I pick, but don't know how)

Smith and Wesson actually do have a line of Cop patrol bicycles.

(I'd post I pick, but don't know how) Officer, is that a Smith & Wesson you're sitting on, or are you...oh, never mind.

pics please. and won't that sanding weaken the tubing?

...you'll wind up with something that no one will want to steal.

well, that's not such a bad thing...

j-

LOL... Gun steel is also investment cast using the lost wax method, and such material taks blue quite well. Other gun steel is turned from bar stock and also takes blue quite well. Cold blue just does not work well on any big job.
You are correct, some gun steel is lost wax investment cast. The cast pieces are then forged, usually by a drop forge.

I am not having a good run on this frame, I tried using clear coat on the bare metal but it won't stick. Took the easy way out and took it to a powder coating shop. They will do sandblasting and powder coating for AUD$55.