I have just carded the first coat of rust blue on a Rice southern classic barrel. I usually get a an uneven mixture of rust /non rust/ and heavy rust that eventually, with 5 or 6 applications, becomes a smooth even blue or brown, depending on the final treatment. So, this time, the top five flats have come out of the first carding a metallic, bray bronze color. I am considering leaving it, as is, or boiling it, which may make it more gray. In any case, it is considerably darker than the original steel, and quite even. There is a very small uncolored strip at the joint between the barrel and tang. ( I obviously did not use enough degreaser there.) Do you think this level of finish, well waxed and or oiled will yield a rust resistant finish? if not, I will continue the process as I usually do.
Thanks
