Polish a rifle barrel to prepare it for bluing

When refinishing gun metal it is important that the surface be well polished before bluing. Larry Potterfield, CEO and Founder of MidwayUSA, explains the process for polishing a rifle barrel to prepare it for bluing. He begins by cleaning out any lettering on the barrel using a blue and rust remover along with a nylon brush. The lettering is then covered with masking tape to prevent it from becoming damaged. Starting with 120 grit cloth backed abrasive the barrel is sanded lengthwise using a wooden backer while keeping away from the lettering. After all the marks and pits have been removed using the 120 grit the barrel is polished with the 150 using a shoeshine motion. This is called cross polishing. This process is continued, alternating between sanding lengthwise with cross polishing until you reach 220. The last sanding is performed using a hobby lathe. That tape that was protecting the lettering is removed and those areas are polished at this time. The barrel is now ready for bluing.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• MidwayUSA
• Larry
• Potterfield
• gunsmith
• guntec
• firearm
• Winchester
• gun-repair
• shooting
• Riflesmith
• rifle-barrel
• blue

[blueshadow1996]

I use strips like you do...That barrel is going to shine..You have me respect Larry Potterfield..

[falloutdude222]

thats ok for a nice factory finish, but if you dont have a lathe, best stick to 600/800 by hand. personally i like to go higher for a nice deep black chromey type of finish, nice and reflective

[W857TYWH408576NW0348]

Didn't look like such an inexpensive lathe to me!

[Koffee87]

Thanks great

[hifatpeople]

I have an old bb gun that i found, the barrel was covered in rust and has a bunch of gouges, i don't have a lathe so i used a stuffed animal, a pen, a drill, and sandpaper.

[cs512tr]

i like how his hands are dirty at the end, it shows he is really into what he is demonstrating.

great stuff

[Stylensky]

Larry's the man..... And thats the way it is.

[thedoy1]

hi larry,is it poss to polish my hw77 barrel to a mirrored finish then laquered.ty

[Leuopold]

That sure is the way it is Larry! you rock!

[bluejay148]

cool i like that what about if the barrel is so rusty and including the riflings

[TheChubbyKid]

Just did this today, used 120, 150 and 220. Still have some work to do on it with some 400grit - the sights are a pain. Will have to get a dremel for it.

[TheChubbyKid]

Dun know what you would want to blue that barrel, it looks to good.