Red Imp No.132 makeover

Over the last two days, I've been saying, that I wanted to redue the bluing on my IMP. Some have posed interest in a how to or "I'd like to see that".

Well, here we go. Sorry some of the photos are somewhat crummy. And I didn't get any shots of the steel wool step. Nor a shot of me actually bluing, but I digress. (Use your imagination, God gave it to you, don't waste it. :) )

BEFORE PHOTOS:

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...psapmb8ysk.jpghttp://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...psin2urbig.jpghttp://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3rfbvxd8.jpg

THIS IS THE TAPING PROCESS:

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...pskjjybz5b.jpghttp://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...psjlmgqcya.jpghttp://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...psuss8j56q.jpghttp://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...psz7gkp85x.jpg

Degrease and soap wash all surfaces to receive bluing. Rewash with a citrus based cleaner and dry.

Protect areas and items you don't want to blu.

Use #0000 steelwool to prep the surfaces to receive bluing.

Wear rubber or latex gloves to protect sensitive skin, or "man up" :)
I wore gloves.

Apply bluing with sponge dobber or the likes. Allow to set 30 seconds. Rinse with cold water.
If you wish a darker blu, repeat blu & rise cycle til pleased.

Lightly use #0000 on blued surfaces to smooth.

AFTER:

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...psk2fsebyw.jpghttp://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...psj4hfltr2.jpghttp://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...psymq9vkuz.jpghttp://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...psxoegogty.jpg

TA-DA!!!!!!!!

Now, I'm on the lookout for some RED enamel to fill the letters, and some gold, to hopefully redue the devil.

Thanks for looking

Nice writeup. Try local hobby shops for red model paint.

Looks nice, good job! That imp of yours has a wicked spike, have you shaved with it yet?

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Originally Posted by recklessabandon

Nice writeup. Try local hobby shops for red model paint.

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Got it last week

Yup, AWSOME shave. Onpar with my Joseph Rogers near wedge and my Eric Anton.

Like I mentioned above, I got some gloss RED enamel from the hobby shop. Some nice teeny tiny brushes and some Rub n Buff gold (for the devil) that someone mentioned about using.

Will post results here when complete.

Great restore, thanks for the details.

Looks great! 1+ on the RubnBuff! I have liked using these oil-based Sharpie paint pens for tang stamps. Either way, a DE blade will slice off the paint on top of the stamps, leaving it in the recesses.

Attachment 208678

I forgot! Be CERTAIN to get all oil out of the tang stamps or the paint won't stick! I use Q-tips and rubbing alcohol.

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

I forgot! Be CERTAIN to get all oil out of the tang stamps or the paint won't stick! I use Q-tips and rubbing alcohol.

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Does acetone have an equal effect, or is one better than the other? I'd also think, with all the crud that can accumulate in the stamping, a toothbrush might be in order.

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Originally Posted by Hart

Does acetone have an equal effect, or is one better than the other? I'd also think, with all the crud that can accumulate in the stamping, a toothbrush might be in order.

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I might have it covered. Gun degreaser & a ultrasonic cleaner @ 110°F for a few minutes. Then I'll check with a loop.

I would avoid that on the Case scales. The blue-job is fresh, so just a light scrub with rubbing alcohol on the tang stamps, followed by dry with a q-tip will suffice.

My Red Imp 132 looks almost new & has the red paint inside the tang stamp but no blued tang. I might have to blue it.

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

I would avoid that on the Case scales. The blue-job is fresh, so just a light scrub with rubbing alcohol on the tang stamps, followed by dry with a q-tip will suffice.

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Okay, good call.

I really need to get one of these. I have many big wedges but think a smaller one would be great for trimming around my beard. Nice razor!

UPDATE:
Spent the good part of this morning filling the show side lettering with red enamel. Rub-n-Buff gold on the devil and logo. Allowed to dry for around 5 1/2 hours before using a blade to remove the unwanted coloring from the tang. Turned out good. Not great, but good. Filled in nice and even. The Rub-n-Buff restored the gold deboss to about 90% new.
Was fairly impressed with the work to do photos for you guys. So I seat up my prop plate grabbed the Tuff-Cloth to shine it up for the photos and.............
S***¡¿? ! The cloth took 60% of all my hard work away.:gth

Still a GREAT shave though.;)

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...psx8hhvced.jpghttp://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...pssu93segh.jpghttp://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...pss7rj8njn.jpg

Yeah, waiting too long to trim the paint has it pulling off. If the tuff-cloth removed more, I suspect the paint had not stuck to the blue down in the stamps. I have had some luck painting, then bluing. Another story. You can always go back and rub it out with some lacquer thinner and try again. Has worked for me many times! The Sharpie oil-based paint pens have proven to work best for me.
I don't know what else to say, but the Imp looks great! The coolest part is you did not unpin it.
I know from experience how good they shave!
Nice Job! :rock:

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Yeah, waiting too long to trim the paint has it pulling off. If the tuff-cloth removed more, I suspect the paint had not stuck to the blue down in the stamps. I have had some luck painting, then bluing. Another story. You can always go back and rub it out with some lacquer thinner and try again. Has worked for me many times! The Sharpie oil-based paint pens have proven to work best for me.
I don't know what else to say, but the Imp looks great! The coolest part is you did not unpin it.
I know from experience how good they shave!
Nice Job! :rock:

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Will have to give this a try. But will wait for another HOT go no where day. :)

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Originally Posted by lethalgraphix

Will have to give this a try. But will wait for another HOT go no where day. :)

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That would be here, tomorrow for me! :p

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

That would be here, tomorrow for me! :p

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Same here, but I have to venture out.

https://youtu.be/nU9IO1sJ8nE

"I've got honey-do's to do".

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Originally Posted by lethalgraphix

Same here, but I have to venture out.

https://youtu.be/nU9IO1sJ8nE

"I've got honey-do's to do".

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I know that's right.