neutralizing browning solution

[billd]

Just want to double check before I screw something up. 

Re: discussion a few weeks back about using ammonia to neutralize browned barrels. I have two barrels browning that will be done tomorrow.  I bought a bottle of regular household ammonia, non scented, non suddsing.  I'm just going to flood the barrel with it instead of a baking soda slurry?  Full strength right from the bottle? Then flood with warm water after that?

Thanks,
Bill

[Roger Fisher]

Ammonia! ?  I never tried it.

 I know that baking soda in water works so that's what I use.

Don't wanna !$@! on your parade!  I just can't speak for ammonia!

Hope at least one of those barrels is for a log gun.  We need all the chunk shooters we can get to keep that match alive!

[billd]

Sorry Roger,  One's the .45 you saw me with last month and the other is a short barreled .62 for hunting. 

[flehto]

After not completely stopping the after rust w/ a baking soda solution, I started using  household ammonia and have had no after rust. Use it right out of the bottle and use a paintbrush to apply for a few minutes. Small parts are submerged in the ammonia. A hot water rinse, drying and I then apply Oxyoke patch lubricant on 0000 stl wool and rub lightly.....Fred

[rick landes]

I use a baking soda and warm water solution. One cup soda to one gallon water...safe, effective.

[Bill of the 45th]

Both work fine, but I prfer the ammonia.  The biggest roblem with baking soda is if it's been sitting around a while.  It seems to lose it's strength, and not be as effective.  Same thing happens with bleach.  Good old Bo Peep is what I use.
Bill

[Dphariss]

I would wash them off with water and let it go at that. I have never had a problem.
Just don't dump boiling water on them. Just good hot to the touch is enough.

Dan

[Roger Fisher]

Both work fine, but I prfer the ammonia.  The biggest roblem with baking soda is if it's been sitting around a while.  It seems to lose it's strength, and not be as effective.  Same thing happens with bleach.  Good old Bo Peep is what I use.
Bill

Yes, Ol Bill is on the mark..   been there - stale b soda is a bummer!!

[Black Hand]

I use a thick paste of baking soda and water.  Not only does it neutralize the browning, but it is mildly abrasive and helps to get the scale off the metal with a little rubbing.  

I don't particularly like ammonia because of the fumes.  The baking soda I can do in the house in the kitchen sink....

[eagle24]

The barrel on one of my rifles would rust in places within a couple of hours.  I'd clean and oil and it would be back the next day.  I wiped it down with 50/50 clear ammonia and water and that did it.  No rust at all now.

[Frank]

I used to always have after rust until I started using ammonia. Ammonia works great. I used a paint brush to apply and rinsed with plain water.

[Clowdis]

If you have some Montana Extreme bore cleaner try that. It contains a pretty strong ammonia for disolving copper. I tried it once and it worked real well but haven't had an opportunity to try it again. Don't open the bottle and take a sniff!

[max]

I've used both methods and found that they each have their advantages. I found that the baking soda method didn't stop the rusting which appeared for several days after neutralizing the barrel, but the slow rusting helped to even the browning out so that I got a very consistant finish. The slight abrasive quality of the baking soda also helped to smooth out the finish.  The ammonia on the other hand stopped the rusting immediately.   After using either method I always use a good coating of Birchwood Casey's Sheath (aka Barricade) to prevent further rusting.