sdandrea1 Not sure if anything needs to be done prior, except a good cleaning. I've had these heads for years and did run them through acid soak, and may have blasted them; (I had done some of these heads with black ox that turned out nicely, but soaked them again in acid before doing this torching). But I don't think that makes a diff, from what I've read about it. I'd think any heavy chrome would create some wild coloring, maybe rainbowlike.
The thing with doing the acid is that sometimes all chrome will not be removed. iirc, these TA3 heads were not chrome, nor are the 990 heads I have. But those Wishons....what a F"N mess they are now. Was always going to send them out for Professional stripping/blasting, but never have. $$$....but they are in very nice condition.
I used a propane torch, but I don't think propane gets up to the 550F it takes for blue. I got to the bronze stage and almost to purple on parts of the heads. MAPP gas will burn much hotter and would be quicker. I just didn't feel like spending extra for just an experiment. If I do any more, I will get the MAPP. But I think I Iike this color better than I would blue.
I'll not be doing any the next week though, with temps approaching 100 the next several days. 😁
