Browning a barrel question

[Flintlock Whiskey]

I've browned several barrels. The best is to use one of the cold browns. Laurel Hill and Wahkon Bay are good. You live in Arizona and if you have room in your car or van to create a mini oven in the sun, you have an ideal browning oven. Make a small rack to lift the barrel free of the floor. Follow the instructions. Be sure that all oils are removed from the metal. Wear latex gloves. You don't want any fingerprints. Apply several coats of the solution, carding or wiping away light rust between applications. This may make a darker brown (almost black) than using the heat and humidity of your shower as a browning oven. It's not really that much of a pain and you have control of the results.

Here you see the results of the browning of my Harper's Ferry Rifle with Track's browning solution. The Derringer was left in the white.

View attachment 222442

The Harper's Ferry was browned in the back of my minivan. It got to about 150 degrees F and really did the job.

Very nice. I went ahead and ordered a bottle from LMF.

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

I assume the sights have to come off to do this?

 

[Grenadier1758]

The sights don't have to come off unless they are copper. Best to take them off to brown the steel sights and eliminate the possibility of rusting the sights in place.

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

The sights don't have to come off unless they are copper. Best to take them off to brown the steel sights and eliminate the possibility of rusting the sights in place.

Nuts!
I haven't done that in decades and recall it was a pain to do. Guess I should regard it as "reacquiring lost skills" or something like that.

 

[deerstalkert]

drive left to right to remove. reverse to install.
I have used browning to actually tighten up a sloppy dovetail.

 

[springfield art]

I tore down my Pedersoli Kentucky to do some work on it. I want to remove the factory bluing and have it browned. I could do it my self I suppose, but I think I would be happier with it if it were done professionally. That said, have any of you had your barrel browned and can you recommend them to me. If anyone can tell me who to avoid, that would be helpful also. Lastly, if someone can give me an idea of how much of a pain doing it myself could be, I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

I did two brownings and they are OK by me. I don't have enough experience to give someone else tips on how to do it, but just read up on it first! You will learn!

 

[DCAN]

Recently used LMF browning on my first attempt to brown a barrel. I followed the instructions from their web site and the process went just as they said it would. Whole process was a piece of cake. Outcome was better than I had hoped for. I was trying to replicate the finish on an original SMR I was lucky enough to own many years ago. I will be using LMF to complete my next Kibler kit. It is the part of the process i am least worried about.

 

[Hawk54]

Ok, I will look into it. Probably a video on YT about it. Another person mentioned using vinegar to remove the blue. What are your thoughts about this?

Birchwood Casey Blue and Rust Remover. As far a bluing or browning without degreasing. Not going to get good results. Degrease everything as good as you can get it. I use acetone. Dries immediately. I use Track of the Wolf browning solution. very good results. When carding between coats of solution be gentle.

 

[Redlemur60]

Ok, I will look into it. Probably a video on YT about it. Another person mentioned using vinegar to remove the blue. What are your thoughts about this?

Just sand it10 min. Done and done

 

[pacanis]

I degrease with no chlorine break cleaner and then TSP in boiling water.
And +1 on LM.

I've never done a barrel, but I imagine there is some kind of plugging that goes on at the bore end and the flash hole.

 

[Century to late]

Just go for it!! You will be amazed how easy it is to do. Great information here on the forum. Keep us updated on the outcome.

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

Just sand it10 min. Done and done

I don't know if I can trust a man with a mustache like that.

 

[SDSmlf]

I've never done a barrel, but I imagine there is some kind of plugging that goes on at the bore end and the flash hole.

I was taught to coat the bore with lacquer before rust bluing or browning. Use lacquer thinner to remove lacquer coating when done.

 

[kyron4]

I was taught to coat the bore with lacquer before rust bluing or browning. Use lacquer thinner to remove lacquer coating when done.

What a great Idea ! I have been using pasted wax to coat the bore, it seems to work okay, but I like your idea better.

 

[deerstalkert]

I take a round ball a few calibers larger than my barrel bore and drive it half into the bore. plugs the bore water tight. remove with pliers.
all of my stored unused bores are plugged this way. i drip a drop of wax into the vent. seals effectively.

 

[Rob M.]

I did two brownings and they are OK by me. I don't have enough experience to give someone else tips on how to do it, but just read up on it first! You will learn!

Some good info and suggestions on here ...
Following

 

[Johnny Tremain]

I built a sweat box for my barrel out of pine. Soaked the walls and used a light bulb to make moisture.
It came out real nice and thick coating to.

 

[pacanis]

I take a round ball a few calibers larger than my barrel bore and drive it half into the bore. plugs the bore water tight. remove with pliers.
all of my stored unused bores are plugged this way. i drip a drop of wax into the vent. seals effectively.

I like this method. No chance of introducing anything to the areas you just took time to degrease.

 

[deerstalkert]

I like this method. No chance of introducing anything to the areas you just took time to degrease.

another side benefit is you have a slug to measure the bore. at least the muzzle. which is the most important part of the bore.

 

[Redlemur60]

What a great Idea ! I have been using pasted wax to coat the bore, it seems to work okay, but I like your idea better.

Or a cork and toothpick