OT-Case Hardening Color Question

[Jughead]

What causes the case hardening color to fade? Is the color just on the surface so it is worn off with use like blueing? Does it have some thing to do with fading from light? THANKS

Information

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[AKA Hugh Uno]

it's an oxide finish, thus acts and reacts with almost anything. yes, it's only on the surface.

A. Sunlight

B. Oxygen (more slowly than other factors)

C. Friction/Wear (i.e. you hands)

D. Solvents/cleaners

You can cover the surface with a clear fingernail polish or wax, but bottom line, if you use it, it will fade.

[JBS]

Surface color only, it will wear off leaving what is called French Gray.

[Chuckindenver]

hmm.
iv stripped, beadblasted and refinished a lot of 1911A1,s. dipped them in acid, rubbed the dog do out of them sanded the surface down, ground on them , done things to a slide youd never thought would be done.
the hardened area always comes back.
they are surface hardened, but no amount of time, air or finish will change the color.
with time, the original finish may fade or darken, but the hardened areas will always be hard, even 1911A1,s that were blued and polished, if you look close youll still see the dark spots, if you phosphate the pistol they will look just like the one in my picture.
NM hard slides will be completely dark, as slide is completely hard, and not just the end and slide latch area.

[JBS]

Perhaps I was misunderstood. The colors, the blues, straws, and grays will wear off. Case hardening remains. An example of Color Case hardening worn to French Gray would be the silver grey of an old Peacemaker that has not yet turned to patina due to constant use.

[AKA Hugh Uno]

yes, the surface hardness remains.

(restored case colors)



worn 1886 case hardened bone/charcoal fiinish (original)



Olympic Arms 1911

[Chuckindenver]

old age is creeping up on me..
missed the colorcase thing,,,lol.
dissregard my post...
color case does come off easy, iv seen guns coated with clear laquer to protect it.
i looked into a color case set up, 2500.00 was a bit much for the small amount of parts id do.
im not into cowboy stuff, and dont have an in with that group.