Browning a barrel

[Ppanepinto]

Just to clear things up for me, do I apply heat to the barrel while the browning agent is on the barrel or just let it sit for 3-4 hours? Humidity is not a problem where I live. Just need some help to understand the process.

 

[Burningprince]

what browning agent are you using?

 

[Zonie]

If your using Birchwood Casey Plum Brown you will need to heat the barrel to 280 degrees F to make it work. 250 is too cold and 310 is too hot.

If you are using a cold browning agent like Laurel Mountains BARREL BROWN & DEGREASER or Tracks browning reagent heat is not required. Room temperature is fine although I built a browning box which uses a light bulb to evaporate the water and to keep the inside of the box at about 120 degrees F. It speeds up the process a little but generally speaking a tempreature like 120 degrees F. is not required.

A high humidity on the other hand is needed.
Several folks turn on the hot water in their shower in their bathroom for a few minutes and others use a electric vaporizer to keep the air in the room moist.

 

[Ppanepinto]

Laurel Mountain Forge. I know about the blowtorch at the end, but during the process is what I need help with.

 

[Ppanepinto]

Thanks, That is what I was lookin for :grin:

 

[ricklandes]

I just made a pin jig and tried a "hot" brown using Mark Lee's browning. I really liked the look. Here is a peek.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t99/RICKLANDES/100_0503.jpg

I heated it and applied the browning about 5 quick times, drying with the torch and then snow quenched it. I repeated this about 3 times, baking soda washed the parts, dried and finished with a beeswax tallow mix I use for bullet lube. Took about 45 minutes.