carding question

[bowjock]

What do you use to card your brown barrels and how do you go about doing it?

 

[Bountyhunter]

I use a used green scotchbrite pad under running water.

 

[Gordon Horn]

I use a pad of plain 0000 steel wool. Grasp one end of the pad between thumb and forefinger and just lightly whisk the surface with the other end. After that, I wipe down with soft cloth to remove any dust from whisking and apply next coat.

 

[Birddog6]

I mount a 1200 RPM electric drill in a vice & chuck a Dixcel Wire wheel (from Brownells) in the drill & lock ithe trigger on & brush the barrel or part. I do this every 3 hrs & reapply browning solution & take the barrel & parts back to a steamy bathroom & let it sit another 3 hrs. In about 6-7 treatments I have a deep rich dark brown finish that is extremely durable & it is all done in 1 day. And I am using Wahkon Bay Tru-Brown & have have had good success for the last 15 rifles I guess.

And when I am done the Dixel wheel goes back in the box & never comes out except for that carding or brushing. (Don't want to chance someones oily fingers touching the brush & contaminating it) The Dixcel wheel is a special wire wheel with Very fine bristles made for doing this, ? .003 dia. or something like that, very fine & it doesn't scratch the metal or browning.

:thumbsup:

 

[Vaino]

I've heard a lot of good things about the Dixcel rotary brush, so will have to buy one and see. Presently use a piece of wet denim and it's worked for a lot of bbls. I think the amount of rust due to the process {time, humidity} determines how severely the bbl has to be carded. After neutralizing w/ ammonia and rinsing, I use 0000 stl wool w/ Lube 1000 for a final, light rub down which "softens" the matte etching....Fred

 

[CrackStock]

I have seen people use steel wool, scotch brite pads or burlap.

CS

 

[renovato]

I used to use steel wool until I tried a carding brush. Brownells has them. They're also for cleaning files. It has very fine, soft, stainless steel bristles. It'll card very gently and not remove any finish. It's a lot easier than steel wool too.

 

[CrackStock]

I use one of these on my Draw File, but never tried it on my brwoning since I did not want to transfer any of the rusting chemicals to that file. Might get another to try.

CS

 

[54JNoll]

I have used 0000 steel wool, canvas, and denim.

 

[ricklandes]

I like the small wire wheels .003 to .005 wire size. I degrease them before use and prior to storage and before reuse. That oil/grease can be a real problem!

I purchase from Mcmaster-Carr as well Brownells, just who has best price at time.

I also wear a blue colored nitrile glove when doing any rust bluing, browning staining. These are cheap ('bout $17/100 box) and quite tough. Saves the skin a bit of wear and tear too.