doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Inexpensive Damascus Refinish?

I own a few very nice Damascus/Twist shotguns that have been professionally refinished and are quite attractive.

The other day I looked at a $300 damascus "beater" that isn't worth investing several hundred $$$ into refinishing. Is there an inexpensive lower-quality alternative to show some of the damascus figure. Cold blue? Cold browning? Any special technique?

I've heard household bleach and I've also heard lemon's can be used. 0000 steel wood applied with oil, to get through the grime, then degreased. Then the bleach (or lemon juice) applied (barrels plugged) and rubbed with the same 0000 steel wool. Then washed or boiled in very hot water. Then hot baking soda wash applied liberally to neutralize the acid, scrubbed with a brush. Finally rubbed over and over with ballistol with multiple rags. Then a good wax. Ok. I've tried the above on a junker and amazingly it came out pretty well. Neat little project to do at home and it truly doesn't take long.

I've wondered the same thing myself. Since some have an even and deep patina which is really just a very very slow rust finish, I imagine degreasing and etching would bring out the pattern just as if it was done following slow rust browning or blacking.

Bleach will etch it. I wouldn't go that way. I had a set done like that and didn't like them at all.

Jerry,
You prep the barrels by sanding down to 400 grit and I'll give them a shot with my black/white process. If they don't come out acceptable, no charge. If you like them, a $100 would make me feel good about my time.

Or, I can share with you the process.

I just refinished a Husqvarna model 15 using Peter Dyson's Damscus browning chemicals (http://www.peterdyson.co.uk/). I am very happy with the resuts. I think it was around $25 including shipping to the US. You also need some copper sulfate that you can pick up at a hardware store. Take your time with the polishing of the steel. Like any finsihing work it is all in the preparation. You will spend a week rusting and carding once a day. It was a fun project and well worth it.

Chuck, are you taking in work now? I have a nice Belgian Damascus 16 hammer gun that could use some spiffing up on the barrels. And, I'm close to you.

Chuck, I also am in need of your services if you have the time. I just closed on a deal today, but I will not have the gun for at least 10 days. Please email about your process, preping instructions, etc.

smmsdillon@aol.com

thank you.

Sorry guys, I didn't mean to get your hopes up. I just wanted to color a set (black/white). I'm not interested in doing brown or prep work. I don't know if I want to do more than one set at this time. If it works out, I'll consider it based on the amount of labor involved.

I had a set of Baker barrels a while back that before I stripped them I degreased them boiled them and etched them. They came out great. Saved BUNCH of time too.

Chuck, if you need a set to practice B&W on, mine are available, and I'll prep them.