I have a barrel that threw me a curve ball the other day. Its and Ithaca (SKB) XL900. The barrel had series of scratches inflicted by the previous owner so I thought I would sand, buff and polish them and out and just cold blue it temporarily. Well, I sanded down and got the scratches out and went on to work the area out lengthwise so it wouldn't have a dished out area in the metal. Cleaned it with acetone, heated it up with a heat gun and proceeded to apply some Oxpho Blue gel. It colored it quite well in the middle but out toward the original blue, wouldn't blue at all. So, I thought I would try some Super Blue...nothing. It seems the middle of the area is getting darker and darker but the ends won't change color at all. What kind of steel is in this thing? And why won't it "blue"? I tried rusting it with some homemade solution and had to heat it up really high to get any rusting action. Thoughts??? Thanks

They wher a form of black chrome or somethiny like that plater. You polished thru the plating where the scratches where

That's what I was afraid of.....

My research shows they were indeed black chrome plated. Looks like a bead blast and re-blue is in order.

Thanks Bobster.

Ouch, that sucks.
With the info shared, I can see why the bluing would produce a bullseye and not "take" on the edges closest to the old finish.

Strip and and re-blue or cerecoat or teflon maybe.

I've only has real success with cold blue on screw heads! Everything else doesn't blend well.

Zeke