Salutations and a question.

[swampyankee]

I figured I'd kill 2 birds with one stone, so hello this is my first post.
I'll start with a question, I've ordered my first flintlock kit. What is the concensus on which metal protectant is the best to use on the metal, pre-browning? I'll be taking my time on the stock and don't want the humidity to get ahead of me.
TIA

 

[Dphar]

I figured I'd kill 2 birds with one stone, so hello this is my first post.
I'll start with a question, I've ordered my first flintlock kit. What is the concensus on which metal protectant is the best to use on the metal, pre-browning? I'll be taking my time on the stock and don't want the humidity to get ahead of me.
TIA

Some modern stuff can be very hard to get off.
I would not use any high tech stuff and probably would use nothing or something easy to remove.
You will need to do a little cleanup before browning anyway.

Dan

 

[Stumpkiller]

Welcome!

Obviously you want something that can be removed when you're ready to brown. I'd use transmission fluid and when you're ready for the metal working clean it off well with many wipes with solvent alcohol or mineral spitits on a cotton rag, changing the rag between wipes. Finally a wipe off with acetone.

 

[tallbear]

I would not put anything on the barrel.Through the course of building the barrel will be taken in and out several times.Whatever protectorant you put on the barrel will contaminate the stock and ruin the wood for finishing.The barrel has to be prepped before browning which will remove any rusting that occurs during building.

Mitch

 

[jdkerstetter]

Protect the metal from what? Rusting? Browning is rusting. I agree with Mitch (Tallbear) on this. You would really have to live in some kind of climate to worry about parts rusting enough to worry about.

I build in a basement that runs from damp to wet and don't use anything on my steel parts. May see an occasional fingerprint here and there but nothing that doesn't come right off.

Now if it's parts that you polished and want left white then I would recommend a wax to perserve that.

Don't sweat the petty stuff. You'll be fine. Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Vaino]

I don't use anything on a bbl but some folks have acidic "hands" and whatever steel they touch produces rust.Perhaps they should coat the bbl w/ something like Oxyoke 1000. Nothing is done to the bbl, even before inletting. Prior to browning, I draw file and rub lightly w/ 220 grit paper......Fred

 

[DTCoffin]

My current project was in my basement work area over the winter and out in the garage area since april , not one bit of rust even with all the humidity.

 

[Bruce Bogart]

My barrels get a bit orange during the build ( I know I should work faster :haha: ) but they never get "rusty". Like JD I work in the basement and boy is it humid sometimes. Usually just rubs off as I work the stock with the in/out action it takes. Browning is detail oriented enough with out adding the oil on the barrel surface on purpose!

 

[swampyankee]

Yeah, I remember wearring socks on our hands while handing our rifles before inspection in boot. Some people have mucho sheen.

There's a difference between browning/bluing rust and chipping hammer rust,I want to avoid the later. :grin: Good to hear my concerns are unwarrented.