Dangler's Browning Solution

Dangler's Browning Solution's antique brown method works especially well on actions and small parts.

For a rougher antique brown finish with Dangler's Browning Solution, apply heavier coats at 12-hour intervals.

To use Dangler's Browning Solution, the barrel should first be draw filed to remove milling marks.

When preparing a barrel for Dangler's Browning Solution, sand the barrel with fine sandpaper to remove filing scratches.

180 grit or finer silicone carbide sandpaper works well for preparing a barrel for Dangler's Browning Solution, depending on smoothness desired.

Before applying Dangler's Browning Solution, oil the bore of the barrel well and seal it with tightly fitting wood plugs at the muzzle and breech.

Before applying Dangler's Browning Solution, wipe the barrel surface with a clean dry cloth to remove sanding dust.

The barrel must be degreased before applying Dangler's Browning Solution.

To apply Dangler's Browning Solution, use a piece of clean cloth folded into a pad about 1 inch square.

The pad should be moistened thoroughly with Dangler's Browning Solution and applied in a long, even coat from muzzle to breech.

After applying the first coat of Dangler's Browning Solution, set the barrel aside to work for 3 hours.

After 3 hours, apply a second coat of Dangler's Browning Solution to the barrel.

The second and all subsequent coats of Dangler's Browning Solution should be applied very sparingly, just enough to dampen the surface.

After the second coat of Dangler's Browning Solution works for 3 hours, rub the barrel surface with a piece of coarse cloth dipped in hot tap water to remove surface scale and even the brown.

After scrubbing, flood the barrel surface with hot tap water and dry it.

The cycle of applying Dangler's Browning Solution, letting it work 3 hours, and scaling the barrel should be repeated 4 to 5 times or more until the desired color is achieved.

To stop further browning action after completion, scrub the surface using a saturated solution of hot tap water and baking soda.

After stopping the browning action, rinse the barrel with clear warm water, dry it, then heat it with a hair dryer to remove residual moisture and apply wax or gun oil as a final finish.

For a rougher antique brown finish, 2 to 4 coats of Dangler's Browning Solution will be sufficient, depending on weather conditions.

To maximize roughness with Dangler's Browning Solution, do not scale the surface between coats.

If a rust blue finish is desired using Dangler's Browning Solution, the part should be boiled in distilled water prior to each scaling.

For a rust blue finish, parts should be boiled for about 5 minutes until the finish darkens, then scaled in the normal manner.

Do not rub the barrel surface with Dangler's Browning Solution.

Rubbing the barrel surface with Dangler's Browning Solution can cause a metallic copper colored film to form.

Applying too heavy a coat of Dangler's Browning Solution can cause pitting.

Too heavy an application of Dangler's Browning Solution can remove the existing browning, lengthening the process.

If you cannot return to the barrel within 3 hours of applying a coat of Dangler's Browning Solution, do not apply another coat after scaling; just scale the barrel and set it aside.