Tried Something New

[B. Dudley]

That is certainly a great technique that gave great results.

What is going on here is the difference in oxidation between the iron and steel strands. And the etching and micro pitting that happens from that oxidation. The surface of the barrels as a whole is not flat and after the uneven oxidation they are even less flat. The use of the very fine abrasive paper removed the built up oxidation on the higher areas and leaves it in the lower surfaces.

I would think that boiling or steaming after this is done may also help to convert resining rust and "lock in" the "restored" finish.

I would also think that this process and its results would vary greatly from barrel set to barrel set depending on how badly they are oxidized.

[ArtS]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

That is certainly a great technique that gave great results.

What is going on here is the difference in oxidation between the iron and steel strands. And the etching and micro pitting that happens from that oxidation. The surface of the barrels as a whole is not flat and after the uneven oxidation they are even less flat. The use of the very fine abrasive paper removed the built up oxidation on the higher areas and leaves it in the lower surfaces.

I would think that boiling or steaming after this is done may also help to convert resining rust and "lock in" the "restored" finish.

I would also think that this process and its results would vary greatly from barrel set to barrel set depending on how badly they are oxidized.

Brian
I have tried boiling barrels before followed by rubbing with steel wool. That tended to remove too much of the finish, but the guns I tried it on may not have had a lot of the original finish left. Do you think there is any reason that boiling should remove the actual existing finish? Also, I had considered ultrasonic cleaning. I have a high energy cleaner that I could do the barrels by reversing and doing two cycles. Or maybe do the fine wet sand followed by a boil and steel wool carding?

Someone asked about laminates. I see no reason the same processes shoudn't work on any composite barrel finish.