Pick Finishes

[lockpickerman]

Why are most spring steel picks covered in a black coating while stainless steel picks aren't and stay metallic?

[spandexwarrior]

I believe that it's a black oxide coating on the spring/carbon steel picks for corrosion resistance. Stainless steel is less prone to corrosion so it doesn't need the treatment.

-Brian

[Drifty Flintlock]

On this topic, would it be a good idea to put a coating on spring steel picks that don't alraedy have one? I know a gunsmith who does hot bluing. Any strong reasons to do or not do that?

[spandexwarrior]

I wouldn't worry about it. The coating will come off if you polish the picks and gradually as you use them. I suppose you could do something if you like that look but I've never had any picks corrode, if you had a problem, a minute or two with some sandpaper would take care of it.

-Brian

[smokingman]

On this topic, would it be a good idea to put a coating on spring steel picks that don't alraedy have one? I know a gunsmith who does hot bluing. Any strong reasons to do or not do that?

If they are spring steel then most likely
that is the same finish that is already on them. Unless they are nickel plated.
It would not help unless the picks had the finish sanded off,
then hot blue would be better than cold blue.
The only problem might be the handles,if they have handles.
They would have to be removed prior to hot blueing
then replaced after.

[Drifty Flintlock]

Alrighty, I guess I'll skip it then. Corrosion was my main concern.

The picks I have I don't believe are coated, they have the silvery metallic look rather than the dark coat that I think of in bluing. But no big deal.

[mechanical_nightmare]

Some of my hacksaw blade picks that I don't use quite often do tend to corrode. To get rid of it, and help preserve the pick, I dip a scouring pad in brake fluid and scrape it off. Especially the handles of my home-made picks were corroding very quickly because of perspiration, so I covered the handles with plasti-dip.

Then again, my city is very humid all year long. I wouldn't worry about corrosion if it happens at a very fast rate. As other members said, if it does corrode, sand/scrape it off.

[nsquidc]

On this topic, would it be a good idea to put a coating on spring steel picks that don't alraedy have one? I know a gunsmith who does hot bluing. Any strong reasons to do or not do that?

I know HPC has the black oxide layer over all their carbon steel picks. Personally, it drives me nuts. It has a rough, grainy texture that ends up adding unnecessary friction and actually hampers movement in small keyways. I usually sand it off first thing.

Carbon steel will rust, but even a modicum of care will prevent that. Keep them dry, occassionally lightly oiled, and you'll be fine.

[cuttinedge1]

I generally keep a small patch of high grit sandpaper in my pick case to give my pick a quick shine and keep the rust off.