Help! I've lost my Homer Dangler browning solution

[AeroncaTAL]

I've got 5 coats of boiled linseed oil so far on my Lyman Great Plains Rifle and I decided to start working on preparing the metal for browning. However, try as I might, I cannot find the Homer Dangler rust browning solution I ordered for this. Now I'm beginning to wonder if this is an omen or something. The Walnut stock came out nice and dark. I've got everything fitted on the rifle (gonna take it for show and tell at a shoot this weekend) and to tell the truth, it looks pretty darn good in white, the contrast is quite pleasing. Now I'm wondering, maybe I should leave it in white, or at least use some other metal prep that would leave a nice contrast between the stock and metal. Any advise or ideas???

Scott

 

[paulvallandigham]

I have not used Homer's browning solution. I already had bought some plum brown to use on the gun i was building when Homer came out with his. Either order more, or find something else local. As for what finish you put on the metal, no one can decide that for you. Go with your gut feeling. I ended up with a deep chocalate brown finish that many other shooters have admired, and have asked me what I used, and how I got that color.

 

[renovato]

LMH browning solution is the best I've tried so far. If you can't find your solution, you might give it a try. It makes for a great looking and durable finish.

 

[blacksmithshoppe]

Jimmy Kline is making Homer's Browning and Stain's now. His address is
James Kline,
791 T Dr. S.
Fulton MI. 49052
But last time I knew you could still but it from the Log Cabin Shop. I also know for sure you can get it from Gun Maker Mike Meese in Burr Oak Michigan. Let me know if you need the address.
Jeff

 

[AeroncaTAL]

I guess I was being a bit too subtle. I'll eventually dig out that browing solution, I put it someplace secure, just gotta remember where.
The dilemma I have is, do I leave it in white or go ahead and brown (when I find the rusting solution). It does look good in white, but I do want some protection on the metal. I've seen some guns with an antiqued look on the metal(French Grey?) and was wondering how to acheive that. Has anyone done a finish like this? Any problems with it etc. etc.
Scott

 

[CrackStock]

I got extra steel parts from a rifle project a while and have been experimenting with getting gray a patina.

I am doing mustard right now and getting a good aged look, but not a uniform French gray.

Onion is next.

I also here that banana may give a strange but durable black and there are other possibilities.

Okay, so I have too much time on my hands...

CS

 

[Birddog6]

I'll tell ya something else that will blacken or brown one, the sap from a Bananna tree. I see you are in SC so you may have them growing at home as we do in AL. Cut off a leaf, rub the sap on a piece of clean metal & see what happens. It blue/blacks my hand saw every year when I cut them down for winter. :thumbsup:

 

[Tinker2]

Naval jelly will make a nice French Grey




Tinker2

 

[Ed Wenger]

Naval Jelly does work well. Also any commercial cold bluing such as Brownells. After the bluing process, rub back with steel wool to the desired color. That gives a very nice finish. You can also use Clorox bleech after the bluing to create mild pitting, then rub back with steel wool. If you really want to go all out, soak the barrel in boiling Clorox bleech. You need to plug the bore and be very careful, the bleech is very aggresive. Also, you need to do this outdoors!

 

[Old40Rod]

LMH browning solution is the best I've tried so far. If you can't find your solution, you might give it a try.

I would try LMF even if you find your Danglers

 

[Vaino]

"Works" toilet bowl cleaner will yield a nice pewter colored matte finish.....Fred

 

[AeroncaTAL]

Hmmm, the wife says we have lots of toilet bowl cleaner... :grin:
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm going to leave it in white for now and do some experimenting with different techniques on scrap steel. When I find something I like, then I'll finish it. Who knows, maybe I'll wait so long that it will patina naturally... :winking:

 

[renovato]

When/if you decide on a finish, please post pics.

 

[AeroncaTAL]

I definitely will when I'm completely done (are you ever completely through?). I may post some pics as it is now, have to wait until this weekend though. Need some sunlight. :grin:
Scott

 

[CrackStock]

BirdDog,

Actually, I had a large knife that I often used to cut down banana trees when I lived in New Orleans and it was stained black. Not a pretty color, but I am wondering if it would look better when carded back.

I would really like to get a simple method of making a matte and smooth gray finish. Sort of a lazy man's French gray.

On the other hand, the 3rd coat of mustard dabbed on is looking pretty good on its own.

CS

 

[blacksmithshoppe]

If you want a nice aged Patina on your guns just do what I did, loan one to my brother for a few years and when you get it back, if you get it back, it will look like its had a hundred years of use in it.
Jeff :shake:

 

[AeroncaTAL]

Hmmm, but I don't want to wait a couple years. :grin:

 

[CrackStock]

I have been working at dabbing the yellow mustard on the barrel with a bit of paper towel and it is giving me a damascus looking finish after a couple of days. I scrub it off with a stiff plastic brush and warm water. I can do another coat or two to get whatever effect I like and it never pits or gets out of control. More coats seems to get it darker. If I do not like it, I can card it back by going hard with steel wool.

I am not sure how durable this will be, but it costs very little and is easily undone.

CS