Dangler's Browning Solution
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Instructions:
The barrel should be draw filed to remove milling marks. Sand barrel with fine sandpaper to remove filing scratches. 180 grit or finer silicone carbide works well depending on smoothness desired. Oil the bore of the barrel well and seal with tightly fitting wood plugs at the muzzle and breech. Wipe the surface of the barrel with a clean dry cloth to remove sanding dust.
Degrease the barrel.
To apply the browning solution use a piece of clean cloth folded into a pad about 1” square. Moisten pad thoroughly with browning solution and apply the barrel, being careful to apply brown in a long even coat from muzzle to breech. Do not rub the surface of the barrel with the solution. Apply the solution as evenly as you can with a single coat if possible. Rubbing the surface with the solution can cause a metallic copper colored film to form. After applying the first coat of browning, set aside to work for 3 hours. After 3 hours apply a second coat of solution to the barrel. The second coat, and all subsequent cats, is applied very sparingly to the barrel surface. Only enough solution should be applied to dampen the surface. This will minimize the chances of pitting.Too heavy an application of solution can also remove the existing browning, lengthening the process. After letting the second coat work for 3 hours, rub the surface of the barrel with a piece of coarse cloth dipped in hot tap water.This step removes the surface scale that has built up and evens the brown. After scrubbing the barrel, flood the surface with hot tap water and dry. Repeat the cycle of applying the browning, letting work 3 hours, and scaling the barrel, 4 to 5 times or more until the desired color has been achieved.
Note: if you cannot get back to the barrel within 3 hours of applying a coat of brown, do not apply another coat after scaling. Just scale the barrel and set aside until you are ready to resume browning.
To stop further action after browning has been completed, scrub the surface using a saturated solution of hot tap water and baking soda.Rinse the barrel with clear warm water and then dry. Finally, heat the barrel with a hair dryer to remove residual moisture, then apply wax or gun oil as a final finish.
For a rougher “antique” brown, apply heavier coats of the browning solution at 12-hour intervals. 2 to 4 coats will be sufficient, depending on weather conditions. To maximize roughness, do not scale the surface between coats. After the desired depth of color has been obtained, wash with water and baking soda in the normal manner to stop further browning. This method works especially well on actions and small parts.
If a rust blue is desired, the part being finished should be boiled in distilled water prior to each scaling. Boil parts for about 5 minutes until the finish darkens, then scale in the normal manner. Repeat the process until desired depth of color is reached.
Finished browning the furniture, lock and trigger for my SMR, working on the barrel now. Dangler’s is very easy to use and produces a uniform color on all the pieces I have treated. I will definitely use this on future projects.
I didn’t like the Dangler Cold Browning at all. I had wiped the barrel clean with acetone and rubbing alcohol first and the browning solution still came out blotchy. I then used steel wool to even the look out somewhat and tried a second coat and it still looked horrible. So I ended up wire wheeling the barrel back to raw steel and used Casey’s Plum Brown and it came out perfect.
DANGLERS browning solution is top notch...used it to re finish the hardware and barrel of a trade musket I built years ago...3-4 coats and everything is a nice chocolate brown...fast shipping and excellent customer service from Kiblers...love all their products...eagerly waiting for the Hawken kit and the pistol kit
...I, however, won't ever know. I ordered two bottles with my Woodsrunner kit (along with flints and mainspring vice), and the fascists at the border apparently opened the crate and took only the browning solution out!?
If you're Canadian, or ordering from overseas, understand that Border Agents confuse this solution with either crystal methamphetamine, or bomb making materials? I hate this era we're living in.
I used this for both browning the barrel and blackening the action of my SMR. I draw filed the barrel until all the scratches went the same way, then wiped it down with acetone. I applied the solution with a wool swab and hung it up overnight. The next day it looked very streaky, but I carded it with a wool felt pad , applied another coat and waited overnight. The barrel showed about 90% red rust coverage and I repeated the process for a total of five time using an oiled felt pad for the final carding. I wiped with acetone again, and then a baking soda water solution. I heated the barrel, applied a coat of plain 30WT motor oil and let hang. Next day I wiped with dry paper towels and finished with Ballistol
I got an even deep brown color.
I then used it to blacken the action by rusting the individual components and boiling for about 45 minutes and carding.
Don't use anything other than acetone for cleaning the raw metal surfaces before rusting.
I really love the color this formula makes. It's a very deep plumb brown.
Charles, that deep plum brown is one of our favorite results with Dangler's — If the finish lives up to your expectations on the final build, we'd love it if you'd consider updating your rating. Thanks for sharing!
Katherine
The bottle I received had no instructions. I found some on the internet & You-Tube. The only discrepancy was the initial color change, I didn't get any blue green as per the instructions. I live in Houston so humidity was not an issue. I kept following the instruction & got a GREAT brown on all my Hawken parts. Two caveats: One, the Hawken parts fit so tightly & this solution adds a few thousandths that I had to sand the breach plug, tang, lock plate & bolster to get them to fit again. Two, I also had to chase the threads & screws for the underrib. The Hawken was my first kit, next time I won't be so sloppy with it. Anyhooo, great stuff, bought another bottle & will use again.
This worked great
Easy to use. Looks really good.
Excellent product. I can’t compare it to anything else, it’s the only browning solution I’ve ever used but it’s close to fool proof. Super duper easy to use and a little bit goes a long way to give a great color and durable protection. Practiced on a tomahawk head and then did with my woodsrunner barrel I finally got around to completing. Both look amazing.
Excellent juice. Only one I use. It's consistent.
Very happy with Dangler’s. Even smooth finish and very controllable.
Worked great on some projects projects.
A+
Dangler's Browning Solution
Nice
This is the first time using Danglers. It works and I really like it. I took my time and the results are a nice dark brown that I like. I’m waiting for one more part to arrive and the I will complete my project. Thank you for providing a great product.
I'm very pleased with the final look of Dangler's browning solution. 👍👍
I have purchased both Dingler's Brown and JAX for Brass, I am confused. Are they both the same product? I would rather use the better chemical if they are for the same reason to "antique" the wood and the metal. I have only seen a video of you using JAX for this. Is Dingler's supposed to be better?
It’s a little tricky getting an even coat on the barrel. Color is coming along nicely. Just started yesterday.
I browned a tomahawk head just as an experiment to see how it would work Turned out great Looks like it’s 150 years old
Had researched a number of different browning solutions including method of application. When I read Jim’s comment “best he had seen” I decided to try It. After the first two coats it looked terrible. By the sixth coat, it was a rich dark brown. Would highly recommend Dangler’s solution.
Shipping
Liquid Shipping
Liquids will not ship in the kit box. There are different regulations that apply to the chemicals that we sell and they will need to ship ground, when the kits will ship USPS Priority Mail. Plus, it would really stink if a liquid were to leak on your beautiful new kit!
Order tracking
You will receive tracking information when your item ships. For kits, you will be contacted before shipment and after shipment so there is no need to worry about a kit box shipping when you are out of town. All other packages will ship when available and you will be emailed a tracking link.
Get in touch
If you have questions, feel free to email us at info@kiblerslongrifles.com or give us a call at 330-551-5844. Even if you have to leave a message, we promise to get back with you right away. Bree can answer most questions and she will be sure to ask Jim when needed.
