Carding, and boiling at the end

[Bill Graham]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

Baking soda would be a neutralizer. Not for carding.

Flanigan cites using it to neutralize, and to use as a slurry for light fingertip carding.

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

Do NOT drill weep holes. You are altering the barrels from their original state and they cause more problems than they prevent.

Understood. I ask here to validate what is said elsewhere.

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

Have you actually used steam in regular rust bluing with good results? I tried it and found it very difficult to avoid spotting and getting a good outcome. If you have not used it before, i recommend a trial run to see if you can make it work for you.

Yes, repeatedly. You were kind enough to give one a thumbs-up comment on one I did last year. It's gone very well thus far. A couple of keys is to hang the barrels muzzle up, and for the boil to be intense. I'm sure I'd be happy with boiling as well; I simply don't have the equipment or space. I had the PVC components, canning pot, and camp stove on hand.