Barrel finish looks very strange after stripping off paint

[masakari]

After reading threads online, I decided to strip the paint off of this upper with KleenStrip paint stripper, and decreased it... This is what it looks like now. It's a swirly gray, no longer black, even after being re-oiled.
Thoughts?

[BoltActionAssault]

Stripping complete. You leaving it as is or planning to refinish?

[masakari]

Stripping complete. You leaving it as is or planning to refinish?

Not sure. I have some cold blue I could use, but this isn't going to be anything special, so I don't want to put money into getting it cerakoted or anything.
The gray finish is weird. What would cause that?

[ISiman/oh]

Not sure. The gray finish is weird. What would cause that?

Bare metal, you stripped all the finish off.


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[BoltActionAssault]

Bare metal, you stripped all the finish off.


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Yep. Just marks from the manufacturing process.

[masakari]

Bare metal, you stripped all the finish off.


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Ok, I'm fine with that. I have some cold blue in a bottle, do you think that that would be adequate? I don't really want to spend any money on a special finish or anything. Just want to protect the metal a little.

[MegademiC]

I dont think cold blue offers any tangible protection.
I expect keeping corrosion at bay Will be a constant struggle.

[HeruMew]

I dont think cold blue offers any tangible protection.
I expect keeping corrosion at bay Will be a constant struggle.

Agreed.

Krylon it with high temp paint. Reapply as spots appear to burn off or discolor

Without any nitriding or parkerizing, you may be in for a regular battle.

[Stickman]

After reading threads online, I decided to strip the paint off of this upper with KleenStrip paint stripper, and decreased it... This is what it looks like now. It's a swirly gray, no longer black, even after being re-oiled.
Thoughts?

It is fine. A little finish still in some pores isn't a big deal.

You didn't strip off parkerizing or nitride, so you don't need to worry about that.

If you want, you can heat it up with a heat gun or even a hair dryer to let oils soak in better. In the big scheme of things, I personally wouldn't worry, that is just how a lot of things look after stripping paint. Spray it with high heat paint if you want, but make sure you heat and cure it before you expect it to hold up at all.

[masakari]

It is fine. A little finish still in some pores isn't a big deal.

You didn't strip off parkerizing or nitride, so you don't need to worry about that.

If you want, you can heat it up with a heat gun or even a hair dryer to let oils soak in better. In the big scheme of things, I personally wouldn't worry, that is just how a lot of things look after stripping paint. Spray it with high heat paint if you want, but make sure you heat and cure it before you expect it to hold up at all.

Ok cool. I have a heated ultrasonic cleaner and oiler, so I can get it hot to soak in oil.
So you wouldn't do the cold blue? Just leave it?