Cold/hot browning

[lonewolf172]

Hi. When using LMF browning which is what I want to use do you card and use baking soda or windex after each coating or only after the last one? I'm going to use my bathroom since I live alone and full the tube with hot water, close the door and let it get steamy. I 'm not looking for a dark brown/blackishfinish

 

[user 34300]

The LMF directions say to use denim to card. That did not work the way I wanted. I did not want me mess with setting up my carding wheel. I used steel wool and windex. I think any water containing stuff with some soap will work. A bowl of water with a dab of dish soap would be an excellent choice. I would not use baking soda. That will kill the acid and stop further rusting. My idea was to keep the lifted loose rust from building up on the steel wool. Loose rust is abrasive and will remove your finish. I used almost no pressure and kept the pad clean and lubricated with windex for carding. I was using a medium grade pad. I did not have any super fine stuff on hand. Super fine will have more surface area and thus more oil to remove. IF you use little pressure the medium is fine. I soaked the pad with windex and shook the water out to get rid of most of the oil.

 

[fishmusic]

I have used LMF cold brown for all of my projects. A humidity chamber is not needed. I have used a trouble light on top of a bucket of damp rags and hung the barrel about three feet over that. That is enough humidity. Once I used a plastic bag to tent the barrel but that resulted in drips condensing on the barrel and the result was streaky. Had to sand that off and start fresh. There is humidity and then there is too much humidity. I don't use steel wool because that has wax or oils to keep it from rusting. It will interfere with the browning process. Finally, even though the instructions say that LFM will degrease go ahead and wipe the parts with acetone to degrease it anyway.

 

[Flintandsteel]

Cold brown is IN the metal, not ON the metal. Much more durable and the texture can be totally controlled. Smooth and polished, or nicely textured, it’s up to you.