Will vinegar remove bluing?

[Jbmass]

I'd like to put my Kelly registered CT pattern in vinegar to remove the rust, but want to make sure I won't lose the blue finish behind the tempering. It's hard to see in the picture, but it has a nice blue shine to it. Thoughts? Will the vinegar effect it?

 

[Sturubu]

I was just reading up on using vinegar to remove bluing from firearms, and a lot of folks are saying it is safe and effective. Most have said half an hour or less of soaking and no impact on the metal surface - it seems like it should be safe.

Edit - just re-read your post (should have read more carefully)...I assume it would affect the blued finish.

 

[DrFish]

Blueing is controlled corrosion. Rust is corrosion. If you remove rust, you're going to affect the blueing. Best bet is to remove the rust and repatinate/reblue the steel or just live with it, IMHO.

 

[Steve Tall]

In the words of Square_Peg,
Use a brass wire cup brush. Keeps the patina intact and removes the rust. Leaves an old axe looking great.

I use a brass wire cup brush. Keeps the patina intact and removes the rust. Leaves an old axe looking great.

 

[Acetylene]

^ +1, wire brush it. If your not satisfied, you can always put it in vinegar afterwards.

 

[Square_peg]

On such a fine axe as that, a Kelly Registered, I would start with the least aggressive method possible. Try one of the green 3M* scrubbing pads with some mineral spirits or even Hoppe's #9.

That's a valuable axe. Please be careful with it.

http://www.thehenryford.org/research/caring/iron.aspx#3c3

 

[Jbmass]

Thanks Square peg. I'll start with a green pad. The least amount of abrasion to achieving rust removal is my goal. It has what I think is the original handle with True Temper embossed on it. My Dad got it for me yesterday out of a barn.......