I just completed another damascus barrel refinish. This gun, a Lefever Arms HE grade double, was supposed to have fluid steel under the old rust bluing that was turning plum brown, according to the seller when I bought it about a year ago. I stared at the barrels under bright light from several angles and concluded the same. Imagine my surprise when I pulled the tube set out of the steel white bath and saw all that damascus pattern staring back at me! In any event, I was having trouble getting an even finish from the baking soda rub, so I recalled this thread and tried liquid hand soap instead. I am pleased to report that the soap worked quite well and proved more controllable in terms of slow and even removal of the rust bluing. I should note that the hand soap that I applied directly to the barrels as the carding and neutralizing agent was not the type that had any moisturizers in it. Its not a Parker, but here's a few hastily snapped photos of the results of that unanticipated damascus restoration....
|