TOTW browning solution?

[lost arrow 801]

Has anybody ever used TOTW tried and true brown solition?
Im on my 3rd coat and its not turning brown. It rusts over and I card it off with a 0000 steel wool degreased like the instructions say but it won't turn brown. It's like a dull grey.

[Bill Raby]

Try giving it more time before carding. I hang the barrel up in the bathroom and run the shower hot until the room gets all steamy. Keep at it. It can take a while. The stuff works great.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Without a browning box, solution needs 24 hrs. left alone before re-applying or carding.  With a brown-box, 2 - 3 hrs is all that's needed between applications.

[redheart]

Just want to make sure that you degreased the steel wool and not just the barrel since steel wool comes oiled in the package.

[lost arrow 801]

I degreased them.
The instructions said to card every 12 hours. But here in Utah there is no humidity. I also carded once after 5 or 6 hours so it has to be it.

Thanks so much everyone

[Herb]

Carl Walker, gunsmith of the old GRRW, told me he really likes it.  He showed me a barrel he browned in his cold cellar, and he said it worked very well.  He  has the recipe of GRRW's browning solution, which gave a really good finish, but he said it has some nasty stuff in it and doesn't use it.  He lives in Roosevelt.

[elkhorne]

Lost arrow,
What procedure did you use to degrease the steel wool? I have heard of several and that is why I am going to use the maroon or grey ScotchBrite on on my next barrel to eliminate one of the potential contamination factors. Good luck and stay with it. Let us know what you find is your eventual key to success!
elkhorne

[okieboy]

 There are various ways to card. I like to card with a soft brass brush like the kind used on suede shoes. Its intensity can be varied by how much pressure you apply.

[shortbarrel]

no humid air, no brown.

[FDR]

Hang it in the bathroom when you take a shower!

Fred

[fjohnson]

the first time i used it i had the same results that you had.  i took the barrel back to a brite finish and then degreased very thoroughly.  the second go around produced a very nice brown finish.   so the story to this is a very good degrease and lots of humidity.  i also hang mine from the shower curtain and get lots of steam.