French grey from browned parts and barrel?

[magyar]

I have read a lot about obtaining a french grey from a blued barrel but cannot recall if anyone has had any similar results from a browned barrel? I have a browned barrel here from an old and abused CVA kit to practice some things on as I fix it up. Just curious as I need to do something with it and would like more practice before moving on to the finishing of my first real build in the next few weeks. Thanks

[coutios]

   I've used Birchwood Casey's rust remover to remove browning and have been pleased with the gray finish that remained... Worth a test piece..... Regards, Dave

[frogwalking]

On locks, I often put one or two light coats of rust blue, boil, then rub it well with 0000 steel wool and the result is a kind of gray color.  The good thing about this is that it seems to be pretty durable.  I am not sure doing this to a barrel would work because it is very difficult to get an even coat (due to its size) without multiple applications.  The barrel would be spotty and inconsistent. 

[PPatch]

I've done this on the last two rifles, learned the technique via posts on this forum.

1. Brown the metal just as you usually do.

2. Use Naval Jelly and a maroon Scotch pad to remove the browning, its work. In some accounts I read folks boiled blue after browning, I tested doing the extra step and found it did nothing special, browning is fine. In fact, now that I think on it, the Naval Jelly turns it black anyway, but you rub that off during the process.

3. Blue the metal with your choice of cold blue, really put'er to it.

4. Remove that with the jelly and pad.

you get: French Gray. With all the browning and bluing the finish turns out quite even and I've have a French grayed rifle sitting in the shop this whole last summer (Georgia heat and humidity) and its not even thought of rusting. Its a good finish. It is also work.

dave

PS: If you want more texture on the metal brown it normally, per instructions, but don't card it and keep at it for a week or so. Best to test this one as it depends on current conditions in your shop.

[ricktull]

just finished a test piece using the above method, and it does work very nicely. looks great!