I've been working on a commemorative 1911 for a retiring Army Officer. He wants the slide engraved as well as having polished flats, gold inletting, and rust blued. Rust bluing requires the surface metal to be prepared and handled during the application. The black oxide needs to be carded (removed) with a fine wire brush.
What is the order of these operations so the engraving doesn't get muffed up? My guess is:
1) Polish slides flats
2) Engrave
3) Gold inlet
4) Rust Blue
My other concerns are scratching the polished flats during engraving. Removing scratches on a polish flat surface is a nightmare! Also, the rust bluing should have no effect on the gold inletting but the fine wire brushed could scratch the gold. Maybe the gold inletting should be done last?
All suggestions welcomed.... thanks!
What is the order of these operations so the engraving doesn't get muffed up? My guess is:
1) Polish slides flats
2) Engrave
3) Gold inlet
4) Rust Blue
My other concerns are scratching the polished flats during engraving. Removing scratches on a polish flat surface is a nightmare! Also, the rust bluing should have no effect on the gold inletting but the fine wire brushed could scratch the gold. Maybe the gold inletting should be done last?
All suggestions welcomed.... thanks!