Birchwood Casey Aluminum Black/Darkening aluminum

[Strelok]

Been searching left and right for the stuff and it doesn't seem like anybody can stock it anymore. Went to a local place that used to have it, and apparently the chemical can't be imported without some sort of Industrial license.

So, heres the question. Does anyone know of any alternatives that does the same thing? I've got a few guns I need to refinish and i have little to no blackener left. Painting isn't an option, nor is anodization.

Thanks!

[CDN_Stalker]

Depending on the type of aluminum, regular cold gun bluing can turn AL a nice black colour....... other types a crappy brown colour, etc. There is also Brass Black, might work too.

A slight bent on the painting thing, why not try the Jig-A-Loo Graphite Extreme (dry lub sold at CT) to spray on? It ends up looking like the metal was blued, without looking like paint.

[Strelok]

Originally Posted by CDN_Stalker

Depending on the type of aluminum, regular cold gun bluing can turn AL a nice black colour....... other types a crappy brown colour, etc. There is also Brass Black, might work too.

A slight bent on the painting thing, why not try the Jig-A-Loo Graphite Extreme (dry lub sold at CT) to spray on? It ends up looking like the metal was blued, without looking like paint.

Jigaloo, huh? How well does that stuff set on metal? Curious if it would be easy to rub off. But then again this is intended to artificially age something. I think i'll have something to play with tonight. Thanks . Still open to suggestions!

Edit: Did some Google-fu and apparently Graphite can aid in the corrosion of aluminum over time. I wonder if this stuff with its adhesive agent would still do it.

I'm gonna experiment, Whee.

[CDN_Stalker]

No idea. I saw it on the shelf at CT, and remembered the can I got from work years ago that I sprayed on the cylinder of my M24 to lube it, didn't stay on long, but saw the Graphite Extreme was 'long wearing', so the thought bubble popped up "KNIFE FINISH!!!!" and haven't done a lot of testing with it yet. Doesn't stick to steel well that I've seen, but if you have a some matte finish on aluminum (like lightly sand blasted), it will help it adhere.

Worst comes to worst, use it to spray on less wear parts, and on gears/inside mechbox.

BTW, simple rain corrodes some of the pot metal parts on airsoft guns. This stuff would help seal it, so it's a win-win overall if you buy a can.

[HKGhost]

The birchwood casey works really good on aluminum. I had to order mine from basspro shop. If you clean the metal well and making sure the surface is even, you'll get a nice finish. It doesn't last or as durable as anodizing, but it's good for touch ups.

[Strelok]

Originally Posted by HKGhost

The birchwood casey works really good on aluminum. I had to order mine from basspro shop. If you clean the metal well and making sure the surface is even, you'll get a nice finish. It doesn't last or as durable as anodizing, but it's good for touch ups.

Yours cleared the border? From what I had gathered it'd be seized up. Any chance you have a leftover bottle or anything like that I can scrounge from you? Thanks!

[MaybeStopCalling]

I got mine from Cabelas... they may still have it.

[HKGhost]

Originally Posted by Strelok

Yours cleared the border? From what I had gathered it'd be seized up. Any chance you have a leftover bottle or anything like that I can scrounge from you? Thanks!

I still have about half a bottle left. If you want it, shoot me a PM.

[Strelok]

Originally Posted by Green Synergy

I got mine from Cabelas... they may still have it.

I phoned them the other day, they said they stopped carrying it.

Also, PM'd HKGhost

[redneck12]

I was just surfin Airsoftglobal and they have the Birchwood Casey product line in stock, I don't know if they will ship it to Canada.

[chaz]

The Jig-a-loo graphite lube will not do what you want. That black colouring will wear off as it is just used to identify areas sprayed/coated.

[Strelok]

Originally Posted by chaz

The Jig-a-loo graphite lube will not do what you want. That black colouring will wear off as it is just used to identify areas sprayed/coated.

Thats what I had thought, I was able to source a used bottle, so that'll be good enough for now.

Thanks guys!

[CDN_Stalker]

So the lube itself remains after the black colouring has worn off? Good to know, I can use it to maybe protect polished knife blades......... I need to experiment more with the stuff.

[chaz]

Originally Posted by CDN_Stalker

So the lube itself remains after the black colouring has worn off? Good to know, I can use it to maybe protect polished knife blades......... I need to experiment more with the stuff.

Yes. The black dye is there to simply mark the spots you have applied the coating too. I use this on moving parts in Paintball guns. Once that black dye wears off, that is when you get the full effect of the Dry Lubricant. And I can tell you it is SLICK!

[CDN_Stalker]

Good to know, first thing I put it on is my belt sander table and platten, to see about cutting back on the friction caused between my wood bevel jigs and the table. Didn't take long for the black to disappear.....