Degreasing a Browned Barrel

[silky]

Hi Guys,

I've learned a lot from reading this forum, and now it's time I jump in!

I'm cold-browning a barrel right now.  During the latest carding, I forgot to degrease the steel wool... can I degrease a partially (almost finished) browned barrel?  Would it be in the same manner as prior to the first application, with just a standard degreasing agent?

If it makes a difference, this next application of browning agent should be the last one.

Thanks!

- Tom

[B.Habermehl]

A lot of folks degrease their steel wool, I never have in the 25 plus years I have been building guns. I couldn't tell you how many barrels I have browned or rust blued. BJH

[Bill Raby]

No need to degrease the steel wool. Just degrease the barrel before putting the stuff on. Then it does not matter if the steel wool is greasy or not.

[oakridge]

Or, you could buy "oil-free" steel wool, like I do, and not worry about it.

[n stephenson]

Everyone has pretty much summed it up ,I too haven't degreased steelwool. At the risk of exposing my ignorance I never thought about it being greased to start with. Maybe that`s why it doesn't rust on it`s own DUH!!! .   Oakridge , I learn something new every day , never heard of ungreased before . I usually get mine  at one of the local Walchimarts  . Nate

[Hemo]

I've used non-degreased 0000 steel wool for carding without any problems, but usually now I'm using pieces of coarse denim (cut-up old blue jeans) which appear to work well and have no grease to worry about.

Gregg

[jerrywh]

 I don't use steel wool but have  a lot in the past. I tried it both ways and never found any difference. I even used copper wool and brass wool --- no difference.  I now use a carding brush from Brownell's. I run it in the drill press at about 800 rpm.   Denim, steel wool, brush or anything else will give you  different looking finish.  That is why you will get so many different answers from forum members.   A smooth English brown is a different process than a matte or frosty brown such as many like on a hunting gun. when asking about browning a person should state just what kind of finish he is wanting to achieve. There is also a art of applying the solution.  Any time a person thinks something is simple they usually don't know much about it.  There's more to jumping out of a plane than just jumping. You gotta know how to land. 

[Smoketown]

Where are all of the proponents from an earlier topic???   

Scotch Brite pads are naturally non-greasy.   

Cheers,
Smoketown

[silky]

Based on your inputs, I went ahead and just applied the final bit of solution and the barrel turned out great. I'm really happy with the result.  Thanks for the help, guys!

- Tom

[Waksupi]

I always wipe down barrels with lacquer thinner until I get no discoloration on a paper towel. I don't worry about oil in steel wool, or on my hands up to that point.