Metal finish for browning

[vulture]

I have completed three rifle builds in the past and browned the barrels on all three, but to finish the metal before acid browning I used a bead blaster on two of them, did a wonderful job, and a sand blaster on the third, not so good, media was too heavy and cut too deep, but came out ok, now I am finishing a Great Plains rifle and need to know how you folks prepare the metal, do you polish it mirror bright, just draw file it, or what? I know longer have the use of either of the tools mentioned above so I'm on my own hook on this one. Help me out folks, please!

 

[Flint311]

No polishing, for sure. You want the acid to "bite" and hold in. I just filed, sanded, and went to work with the acid.

More will give better recommendations....

 

[jerrywh]

The finish depends on how you want the brown to look. A mirror finish is hard to brown and takes a special method. If you just sand it to 400grit you will get a nice brown finish. When finish sanding make all the sanding go in one direction. everybody likes a different look so there is no one way to do it. The rougher it is the easier it is to brown but in my opinion rough browning looks cheap.

 

[Vaino]

I draw file and lightly rub w/ 220 grit paper....Fred

 

[kaintuck]

What Fred said....LMF brown 2-3apps, card when you like the texture, and stop the process w/ baking soda wash...then oil it, propane torch till to hot to touch.....
LMF instructions followed will give you a dark browning.

If at this point you want "old" look.....strip the barrel with Kano or navel jelly....then cold blue.....

In either case.....smooth the barrel....not polish~ that's for hot blueing :wink:
Marc