Finishing a browned barrel

[billd]

I know this has been discussed before but a search didn't get me the result I was looking for.   

What's the best finish, or top coat, to put on a freshly browned barrel?

Thanks,
Bill

[northmn]

I have found that it takes a bit for the browning to set in and quit rusting, especially at tenons and sights.  One thing that was recommended to me a long time ago was good car wax.  I ahve also had good luck with Tru Oil for the bottom flats inside the stock.  There will about as many recommendations for this as for patch lube.

DP

[B.Habermehl]

When I finish up a browning job I'll leave it out in the sun for a bit just till it gets on the verge of being too hot to comfortably hold. Then I will rub it down with a denim rag soaked in clean deisel engine oil. This will usually arrest any after rust. Lubricating oil meant for deisels has a bit more acid neutralising ingredients than any other oil I have used. If it still tries to rust just repeat . It will stop, usually within one or two applications.  BJH

[SPG]

Mr. Habermehl,

I've always killed a brown with G-96 gun cleaner. Two applications does it...no problem with after-rust. Of course, that is here in Wyoming where the humidity is usually quite low.

Steve

[B.Habermehl]

Here in central Pa. the humidity is usually at least 50%. I don't think it's really the difference though. I've fooled around with a lot of oils and waxes etc. in the last 20 years. I just stumbled onto the diesel motor oil thing acouple of years ago. It has worked the best by far for me. I don't even have to use the warm baking soda neutralizing bath any more.  BJH

[northmn]

Here in central Pa. the humidity is usually at least 50%. I don't think it's really the difference though. I've fooled around with a lot of oils and waxes etc. in the last 20 years. I just stumbled onto the diesel motor oil thing acouple of years ago. It has worked the best by far for me. I don't even have to use the warm baking soda neutralizing bath any more.  BJH

I have a small diesel tractor, are you talking about the Ratella (can't find the container, its something like that) motor oil?

DP

[rick landes]

I soak the barrel in #1 baking soda and 1 gallon water for 1/2 hour
Then I warm the barrel quickly to dry off any water. The barrel is warmed with a heat gun to warm to the touch and then an even coat of BLO is applied, left 10-15 minutes and then wiped off with a cloth. repeated twice more...why I do not know it just looks right to my eye. BLO is required as a soak for many of the naval contracts we get; so I figured it will help a FL barrel.
I finish with two coats of good paste wax, again heated dried and removed with a soft cloth.

The BLO gives a nice even finish to browning. The wax just enhances that.

[B.Habermehl]

Rotella is the brand name. I inherited a gallon jug from work. It was opened and presumed contaminated. It was one of those ask an you shall recieve moments . BJH

[northmn]

Thank you.  The tractor is Japaneese and holds 3.something liters instead of a gallon.  I usually have some left over.  Couldn't quite remember the name of the stuff.

DP

[bdixon]

I cake my barrels with a paste of baking soda and rinse and dry, then use heat to heat up and thoroughly dry the barrel, with it still hot i rub it down with a block of pure beeswax, the wax flows nicely and you can buff it back to get a nice film, leave it heavy on the bottom flats.  Works for me.  Love the texture.  Easy to reapply.


Brett.