browning a muzzel loader

[ratdog]

i tried browning the barrel on my hawkin's i heated the barrel it looked good when done did it twice after it sat a while it looked blotchy i have seen others that look real nice and some what shinney. what is the trick?

[coyotejoe]

I presume you are using the "Plumb Brown" product, if so it really takes several applications to get a smooth and uniform coverage. I've used Plumb Brown for quite a few barrels over many years but recently have switched to "Laurel Mountain Forge". It is a cold rust brown which takes time to work. It took me about a week to do my last barrel but that is just a few minutes per day, once or twice a day. It gives a deeper and more durable finish and they say it can produce a rust blue as well but I haven't tried that as yet. The best thing about the cold process is that it gives off no fumes.

[AtlLaw]

...the "Plumb Brown" product,... have switched to "Laurel Mountain Forge". ...a cold rust brown...

Hummmm    Tell me more!  I also have always used Plum Brown.  With this LMF do you apply apply it (cold) let sit (how long) card and repeat?

In other words a rust blue without the hot water tank?

Tim has me talked into trying Brownell's Belgian Blue but I do like to 'speriment!   

[quickdtoo]

+1 on the LMF. 

Tim

http://www.laurelmountainforge.com/barrel_brown_inst.htm

http://www.store.laurelmountainforge.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=67

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/categories/partdetail.aspx?catid=5&subid=65&styleid=221&partnum=lmf-brown&as=1

[keith44]

i tried browning the barrel on my hawkin's i heated the barrel it looked good when done did it twice after it sat a while it looked blotchy i have seen others that look real nice and some what shinney. what is the trick?

not trying to be a smart a.. or anything, but surface prep is the most important thing to an even finish.  This includes cleaning.  By heating the barrel and immedately applying the browning solution you may have released some trace oil trapped in the surface.  The other thought is if you heated the barrel unevenly, or let a flame play over the surface it will cause blotches.  1200 grit wet dry paper (used wet) then degrease 0000 steel wool clean and degrease twice and re-apply and see what you get.

Good luck

Keith

[ratdog]

thanks for your reply's i see what i was doing wrong.

[Winter Hawk]

Another plus for Laurel Mountain Forge is that it is a degreaser as well.  Very easy to use, just don't rub it when applying it.  Instructions are available on their web site (see Tim's post).  I have not been able to get a shiny finish with it, though.  That may be my fault, and what I have looks good.  The latest project was a Deer Creek rifle.  I'll try to get some photos in the next day or so.

Some of the guys on the MLML site have used it for blueing and liked the results, but they also said it's not a nice polished finish.

-WH-

[DennyRoark]

LMF did me a great job.  Clean with naval jelly first to get a nice,even "in the white" starting point.  Mine is a dull and coarse finish, but it ain't EVER gonna rust again.

[groundhog107]

i tried browning the barrel on my hawkin's i heated the barrel it looked good when done did it twice after it sat a while it looked blotchy i have seen others that look real nice and some what shinney. what is the trick?

+1 on LMF Browning solution.   Easy to apply and use.  The key to a shiney smooth finish seems to me to start with surface preperation.  Polish with 600 grit then steel wool to get a very smooth bright surface.  Apply as many coats as you want to the desired color carding between coats.  For me it was still pretty dull until the final step of heating the metal ( in an oven in my case) and applying a GENEROUS coating of motor oil and let stand.  This really seemed to gloss up the finish.  Just my 2 cents your mileage may vary.

GHOG

[wwpete52]

Laurel Mountain Forge is great stuff!  I've browned many barrels.  I used the brown solution that Track of the Wolf sells for a long time but after using Laurel Mountain I'll never go back!  And Plum Brown? Forget it!  It's not even in the same league as Laurel Mountain or the Track of the Wolf stuff.