Another Rust Browning Question

[fishmusic]

Recently, like a week ago Sunday, I used LMF browning solution on my Perdersoli Kentucky Rifle barrel. To finish it off I gave it a baking soda bath. After rinsing the baking soda off I dried it and left it overnight. Next day I was going to oil it up but I found I was still having to card off rust. Made up a baking soda paste and let is set of a while. Rinsed, dried and let set overnight. Same issue, I was still carding off rust. So, I gave it an ammonia bath. It looked good the next day so I oiled it up and let set for 24 hr. Wiped the oil off but rust still seems to be coming off.
I have used LFM cold browning solution several times with no issues. Will this eventually stop? BTW this was the smoothest finish I ever got. It browned up very evenly.

 

[Dane]

Just like any other chemical reaction, temp, humidity, etc will change things.
What you're experiencing is normal.
A scrub brush, a good rinse, then dry it by hand, and Oil immediately.
Its probably starting the rusting process again while you're waiting for it to dry.
Totally normal!

 

[fleener]

if you have not already tried it, I always make a thick slurry/paste with the baking soda. Rubbing it in with my hands and make a big sloppy mess.

This always has worked for me.

Fleener

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Oil immediately.

I learned that after the final carding, to rinse with the baking soda solution, hot as in close to boiling, and then dry (you will get flash rust)..., then rub in plain 30 weight motor oil while the barrel is hot, and you continue to rub with the oily rag until the barrel has cooled down to "warm". Granted it was an old procedure from the 1960's but worked when I tried it.

LD

 

[Eric Krewson]

The rusting will stop over time, keep carding. My last took two weeks to stop.

 

[Col. Batguano]

You might even try making your slurry paste with ammonia as the carrier rather than water, though household ammonia is pretty dilute compared to the commercial stuff. Then do your rinse with ammonia again (no baking soda). Dry thoroughly, and oil. I'm sure it will take a few applications over a few days to get it to stop entirely though. After all this time and work on the build, now isn't the time to cut corners and get lazy!

 

[fishmusic]

All,
Thanks for your advice. Washed it and dried thoroughly. Washed with baking soda paste. Rinsed and dried. Rubbed in motor oil (my go to procedure). I will wait and see. If it still cards rust I will wipe it down and apply oil again. I probably worry too much since the other 98% of the build went really well. Don't want this one thing to ruin my fun.

As usual this forum comes through with lot's of experience and good advice. :bow:

 

[fishmusic]

Yay, gents. 24 hours and no rust is carding off. For me the take away is OIL IMMEDIATELY! Thanks for your help. Going to add another coat of motor oil, let it set and mount it to the stock. I'll post pictures on another post.

 

[Dane]

Fish,
Glad it worked out.
Next time try tranny fluid.
It seems to give it a nice brown, like dark chocolate.

 

[chawbeef]

Novice question. What exactly is carding?? How and why do we do it??..............Chawbeef

 

[Zonie]

Carding is the name given for rubbing off the loose and soft rust that forms on the steel surface.

It can be done with anything ranging from a rough denim or burlap cloth to using a wire brush.

The idea here is to remove only the loose/soft rust that has formed, leaving behind the hard brown rust.

Because wire brushes can easily remove some of the hard brown rust, many prefer using rough cloth.

You definetly do not want to use sandpaper of any kind because it will rapidly take off the hard brown rust as well as the loose/soft kind.

 

[Black Hand]

I've used deer tallow with success. Brown, neutralize with a baking soda paste, rinse with hot water, liberally apply deer tallow while warm and allow to act overnight. Wipe off excess tallow the next day.

 

[Dane]

I use an extr soft, 1" wide Dixel scratch wheel.
Lots of soft bristles. Just takes off the surface powder.

 

[rickystl]

A funny story:

About 4 years ago Roy stroh built a Hawken style plains rifle for me. With the barrel, lock, and steel furniture being rust browned.
While he oiled and carded the browned parts, it seemed that the barrel was taking a longer than usual time to finish rusting. So after a few days he just shipped me the gun and said to keep oil on the parts and it will eventually stop rusting.
So before I went to work each morning I applied the oil. Then when I returned I would rub the rust off with a red shop towel. Kept doing this everyday, with a little less rust showing each day.
The funny part is between Roy's place and mine, it took almost 3 weeks for that barrel to stop rusting. :haha: Roy said he had never seen one take that long. But it turned out great. So, yes, as others mention, just keep oiling and wiping. It eventually stops rusting.
Just hope your's won't take as long as mine. LOL

Rick