LMF giving me fits

[bluenoser]

If you now have your temperature and humidity under control and are waiting for the Rustblue product, why not give the LMF another try?  If you would rather not try it on your parts, use a test piece.  Although not a fan of LMF due to challenges in stopping the action, it is the most aggressive product I have used and has never failed to get the job done.  Test pieces are an excellent way to assess the effectiveness of different products and processes although, to some extent, the effectiveness of any given product is dependent on the composition of the steel.

[foresterdj]

3 strikes and you are out.

The definition of insanity is taking the same action over and over expecting different results.

Interesting is that when I wring out my applicator, I usually get some on my steel bench top, and it browns that nicely. Without being washed or degreased or nothin'.

[Daryl]

You can get a similar "rusting" effect by burning small piles of black powder in a room.
We found that out when the spindles on dad's drill press got a nice brown patina to it.

[foresterdj]

I did three cycles of application, browning, boil/scald, card, repeat. The American Rust Blue from rustblue.com reacted with barrel as one expects. The browning cabinet did work good. The 60w incandescent bulb would raise the temperature inside about 10 to 12 degrees over shop temp., and with the tiny tray of water over it the Rh went from shop 40% to 70 - 72% inside the cabinet. I rusted for about 6-7 hours each time, at 69-70 degrees and 70-72% Rh.

I am happy with the dark black/blue color achieved. Here are two pictures.