Question on cloroxing a barrel???

[Bigmon]

I am making my second attempt at aging a barrel by wrapping in cloth and keeping it wet down with Clorox.  I know there are several methods, such as using heat and others.
I am just trying this method.
My question is,  how long should I let this work like this?  I just wrapped it and keep it sprayed down.

[B.Barker]

I don't care for the look myself. However I've done a couple but used cold bluing on the barrel then wrapped in bleach rag. Never took more than an hour or so to get plenty of rust.

[L. Akers]

I have used clorox on one barrel.  I used the clorox just as you would use a regular browning solution.  I think I put on three coats with 24 hrs. between applications.  I took the rifle to a club shoot, snuck it into a rack and listened to the comments about a "fine old antique rifle".

[Hungry Horse]

Same here, not very productive without the cold blue. Be careful the fumes from this combination is toxic, so outside, or well ventilated, is a must. I have added  fine rust coloring to this technique with Plum Brown by Birchwood Casey and a heat gun from Harbour Freight.

 Hungry Horse

[little joe]

I have used your method Bigmon however wraped the bbl in plastic trash bags for quick results.

[Bigmon]

OH OH, I might have messed up.  Tomorrow will be a week I have been soaking this thing.
I did one a cpl years ago and added a little battery acid from an old tractor battery for the last cple days.  Then scrubbed hard with a brillo  for a long time.  I liked the look.  I guess it is supposed to replicate Damascas??  But were these later guns made damascas??
This time I am just looking for an aged look.  Basically just experimenting. I am trying to find something different than a regular browned barrel.I will again use some cold blue after scrubbing while still wet and keep rubbing it back till I like it.
Here is a photo of the previous experiment.

[JCKelly]

Mr. H. Horse used the word "toxic"

Worse yet, Chlorox fumes can rust any fine iron/steel parts you might have around the shop.

Working outside would be a nice idea.

Downwind from the buggy.

[Bigmon]

I unwrapped the barrel this morning, but nothing else.  Can't get to it again till maybe Sunday afternoon.  Just too busy.  But I don't think that will hurt.  Started this last Friday afternoon, so it is basically one week.
I like this pattern and I think once I scrub it down hard and put a cold blue wash on it, it will look good.
We'll see.  Experimenting can be dangerous.

[T*O*F]

Be careful the fumes from this combination is toxic, so outside, or well ventilated, is a must.

Your battery acid was sulfuric acid. NEVER add muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) to anything with bleach.  It will release pure chlorine gas which will drop you like a hornet sprayed with bug spray.....or at the least damage your lungs. 

[Mauser06]

I just did one with browing agent and cold blue.









I wasnt after a pattern or anything.  I wanted a used but cared for look...looks a little different in those pics due to the oil being heavy and fresh. 


The Browning gave the same results (rust..)...just slower and more controlled and predictable than bleach IMO.