[Lynn O. Doughty]

Gun bluing isn't so expensive. Go to Walmart in the sports section and you will find a bottle for around 5 bucks. It will go along way if you get your shoe all ready and then brush it on. Smaller objects I just dip but something large like a shoe you'll have to brush it. Once you do and after it dries the chemical will oxidize and leave a dirty dust on the surface. Just wipe that off and spray it with deft or poly and you should be good to go. If you use horseshoe nails to anchor the shoes don't forget to give them a shot of deft once you drive them in place as they certainly will rust if you don't.

[Woodartist]

Thanks again Lynn. I'm currently checking on used shoes and will see what I get. The gun blue makes sense in light of the shoes being steel.