What to use

[hortonstn]

What can I use to put a rust brown finish on a barrel I've started and ran out of laurel mountain
I don't wan to wait on a order is there something I can get locally?

[Daryl]

In the distant past, I used nitric acid, but that was pretty hard on the fingers. Yeah - should have worn proper rubber gloves.
Made a nice brown finish, though.
I've heard of using vinegar or rubbing the barrel with a lemon - might have been salted lemon. I don't remember where I read that.

[smylee grouch]

I think vinegar would certainly rust it but it might not blend in with what you started with. 

[Duane Harshaw]

muriatic acid works as well.

[Daryl]

Oh yeah- had a bottle of muriatic acid on  the shelf many years ago. Everything in the shop started to rust.

[hortonstn]

Thanks guys I think I will just polish it out

[Bigmon]

You can probably find Birchwood Casey Plum Brown locally?  Maybe even at Wally World?
I used it for years with good results, until I learned how to use the LMF type.  It will do you a good job especially if you can heat it.
If yer local to me I'd give you enough to do a barrel.  Have plenty left over from before.

[smart dog]

Hi,
If you can find an electronics appliance repair store or shop, get some ferric chloride, which was used to etch circuit boards.  Mix the ferric chloride with denatured alcohol in a dilute solution.

dave

[mikeyfirelock]

Order some more LMF…….best I’ve used………build a damp box to do your browning in and you’ll really get a nice brown.