Pretty easy DIY if you use a quality cold blue, like Oxpho Blue Creme from Brownells. Gonna pay a lot of money if you really want a hot blue job. Likely cheaper to buy a new scope.
Your other option is rattle-can paint or DuraCoat type finish. Pretty easy to paint your scope. Probably some rattlecan gun finishes out there these days.
I would go with Krylon camo if you like the colors. Flat will be easier than a gloss if you DIY.
I dont think anyone even repairs the old steel tubers anymore. And in order to hot blue one, it would need to be completely disassembled first. Definitely not a cost wise endeavor. Cold blue may be the only sensible option. Even if you are trying to do a pristine, period correct project, you would still be better off just looking for another scope in good condition.
Posts: 10159 | Location: Tooele, Ut | Registered: 27 September 2001
I'm surprised how good a certain creme blue is compared with the old liquid touch-up ones. Were you to paint the tube you might need to go up to 26mm rings.
Posts: 5010 | Location: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: 31 March 2009
If you're talking about restoring a period scope for a project there are a couple of people still doing it. Lee LaBas did mine many years ago. I think he quit but you might contact him and get a reference for someone good. I think he's he General Manager of J.P. Sauer USA now.
It was fortunate that I had it done because on disassembly he discovered one lens group had separated and needed to be re-bonded.
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
Posts: 11137 | Location: Texas, USA | Registered: 22 September 2003
Originally posted by tiggertate: If you're talking about restoring a period scope for a project there are a couple of people still doing it. Lee LaBas did mine many years ago. I think he quit but you might contact him and get a reference for someone good. I think he's he General Manager of J.P. Sauer USA now.
It was fortunate that I had it done because on disassembly he discovered one lens group had separated and needed to be re-bonded.
I contacted Lee recently about a scope that is one of three made in the Remington Custom Shop in the Middle 70s I believe. Mine is Mike Walker's personal scope. I cannot replace it. Lee said he isn't doing it now but would check on a friend and let me know. Never heard back.
