Browning

[Tommy Bruce]

What do you guys use to stop the browning process.  I browned the barrel on my first build (which was almost 20 years ago) and had a lot of help with build.  I can’t remember what we did to get it to stop rusting. 

Thanks,
Tommy

[Longknife]

I just scrube with hot soapy water, and then oil well,,,,,,Ed

[Eric Krewson]

On my last barrel I used an ammonia wash, it was still rusting, did it again, it was still rusting, gave it a baking soda scrub, it was still rusting, did it again and it was still rusting. I was assured by the folk here that it would stop on its own and it did a few weeks later for the most part although I did card it one more time about a year later.

I heated the barrel and flooded it with motor oil after ever neutralizing session.

[Frank]

Washed the barrel thoroughly with plain water then heated it with a propane torch to get all of the moisture out of it. Then used a paint brush and liberally applied ammonia, let it work until dry, then another fresh water wash, heated with a torch until all moisture was out of it, sprayed it with WD40 while it was still hot.

[G_T]

Rinsed thoroughly in shower and carded. Scrubbed with baking soda and paper towels. Dried with heat gun. Applied BLO while hot. Let it sit for a bit, and rubbed off all excess. Gave it some time to finish completely curing after that before putting in stock.

Gerald

[KILTED COWBOY]

What is BLO?

[bptactical]

What is BLO?

Boiled
Linseed
Oil


I give mine a hot water rinse and scrub then let it soak in used motor oil for a few days. Never had one continue rusting after that.

[Scota4570]

I use BC Plum Brown.  I rinse with water, dry then oil.  I have not found that ammonia or baking soda stops it.  I expect after rust.  It normally takes several days to stop.  I just use oily tell wool to remove it. 

[Hungry Horse]

I have had a couple of barrels over the years that rerusted a bit, but nothing like what is being described here. I have never had to resort to chemicals to stop the rust. That being said I am of the opinion that most modern builders “over brown” their guns. I have read several descriptions in old browning recipes that describe the finished barrel as having a “clear reddish brown” finish. Most modern guns have a rough opaque dirt brown finish. When the browning process is taken to get his extent, the etched finish retains the browning solution and make it very hard to stop. I believe often new builders under finish the metal, and over brown it to compensate.

  Hungry Horse

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

My experience has been that after browning and carding/burnishing and coating with oil once --- I wipe it very clean and then apply a very liberal coat of Renaissance Wax, and then polish with a rough cloth. I rewax once or twice a year depending on use.