Best Browning

[rancher]

There are probably a ton of different opinions but thats ok. I'm looking for a durable and easy to apply brown. Any ideas?

 

[longrifle78]

I like laurel mountain forge.

 

[bioprof]

Ditto. LMF is almost foolproof.

 

[Stophel]

I browned a rifle receiver years ago with Belgian Blue. Heat the part a bit with a torch and wipe on the stuff. Repeat until satisfied. Makes a very nice, even, medium brown color that is quite smooth.

 

[jtmattison]

Birchwood casey's Plum Brown works great for small parts. Heat the part and wipe it on. Makes a nice chocolate brown.
Laurel Mountain Forge solution works great on barrels.

HD

 

[rancher]

So is the LMF pretty easy to use? Like somone browning for the first time could use it? How durable is it?

 

It's so easy a caveman could do it. :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: Sorry I couldn't help myself.

It's as easy as wiping the LMF on the barrel/part, letting rust, then carding off. Only exasperating part is waiting between coats. After you get the color you want, you neutralize with ammonia, or a baking soda solution. then wax or oil the barrel. It says you don't have to degrease, but I would recommend it. Only problem you might run into is lack of humidity this time of year, but that is easily overcome with a steamy bathroom, or sweatbox. First couple of coats may look bad/blotchey but by the third or forth, things start looking good.

Bill

I started with nothing, and still have most of it left!

 

[rancher]

So is it easier and more durable than say a cold blue?

 

[tg]

I think it is much more durable than cold blue and easier, you can't get much easier than LMF just follow the instructions I have used it on several barrels and the small parts with no problems.

 

[burgessrudy]

I haven't tried browning yet, but someone in this post just struck up an idea. It is dry this time of year, but that's why I have a humidifier. I wonder how well a humidifier in the bathroom with the door closed would work as sweat box? You can control the humidity to a certian extent. :hmm:

 

[Zonie]

A humidifier ought to work great!
Of course, it takes 8 to 12 hours or so for each coat to develop its rust, so the question might be "Will a humidifier work without the wallpaper falling off?" :grin:
zonie

 

Watch the dew point. Humidity is great but if the barrel is not warm enough, you'll get condensation and it'll make a mess of your brown job and you'll have to start all over. Condensation will cause black streaks that will wipe off with no browning. If you're going to use a humidifier and a small room, perhaps you could run HOT water over the barrel to heat it up first (hot enough to self dry) then keep the room at 80-90 degrees.

cody

 

[renovato]

I've had the best results with LMF. It's easier to get an even finish than the hot browns. It's more durable also.

 

[rancher]

So with this LMF stuff, is it necessary to have a sweat box or is there another way to do it?

 

You live in Pa. you won't need a sweat box. Just wait til the spring rains, or the summer muggieness. It's only when you live in places like the southwest where high humidity, is lucky to be 10%, that you gotta need a sweatbox.

Bill