doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Rust blacking

When my grandfather did his blacking he would coat his barrels and they would dry rapidly with a light yellow covered rust when nearing the end of his process he would coat the barrel they would still produce the yellow rust but it would have a blue tint to it? can anyone tell me what this would be? would it be the copper content? I can produce the yellow rust but not the blue tint. ( I am trying to improve the colour and make the black deeper )

Do you know how your grandfather neutralized (set) the blacking when he completed the rusting process?

Regards,

Max

are you having problems with this? ours is a three day process, the barrels are neutralized in hot water then carded then oiled. no after rust.

I neutralize mine by washing in a strong solution of washing soda/warm water for about 10 minutes after the the last carding...then rinse them in hot water, dry, and oil........stops the rusting process dead....

BTW....mix the soda solution B4 puting the barrel in the bath, I use a plastic 5 gallon bucket about 2/3 full and keep washing, I use a rather stiff bristle brush, dont let the barrel just stand in the solution, or it tends to spot the blue.....

I'm going to use the Laurel Mountain solution. I read somewhere to use a 50/50 mix of burnt umber paint dye & paste wax to neutralize the process. Anybody know about this approach?

Rregards,

Max

Max that sounds to me like someone is trying to enhance the brown color. I don't see how that would neutralize the process.

After years of playing the role of the mad scientist, I've given up the role of the alchemist in favor of the MARK LEE products sold by Brownells.

I admit it seems like cheating as you don't do anything that can kill you or the neighbors, hell, it just works.

I do miss the dissolving of the horse shoe nails in acid however. and the accompanying chants. I still use the rattle, just for old time sake.

BIG AL,
I've probably got a book around here with some nails and acid mixtures, that's funny.