I had in my collection a gas cylinder with much of the finish (bluing) worn off. Considering it was intended for a freshly parked rifle, it bothered me. I tried cold blue to touch it up, and it didn't do much of anything. I took the gas cylinder off the rifle and degreased it and finished it with a black oxide finish kit I got from GarandGear. In general, it worked pretty well, but the finish remained a little fragile and to me it was less than perfect.
I ordered a Tapestry new production gas cylinder from Standard Parts LLC for $69. It arrived with a chalky black oxide finish, that looked fine for the most part, but I wanted something that would stay rich and deep black for a long time (or forever). Based on my experience with various firearm and metal treatments and finishes, I chose to use melonite. The wear resistance is phenomenal (I have a 1911 finished in Melonite that has had LOTS of holster presentations and the slide still appears brand new), and the color achieved is a nice deep rich black.
I sent the Tapestry gas cylinder to Coal Creek Armory. They charged me $40, and turned it around in a week. So, for $110 I had a brand new gas cylinder, with a virtually indestructible permanent black finish. Not terrible.
Here are some pictures. Top cylinder is the USGI one that had been blued, then black oxide. Bottom is the new Tapestry cylinder finished in melonite.
And here it is mounted on the rifle:
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