The rusting solutions create ferric oxide layers, and when you boil the barrels it is converted to a ferro oxide which is blacker. Boiling in Logwood(hemotoxalin) it attaches a purple-black color to the ferro ion.
This is very similar to what the old Baker solution does when used on steel barrels. If ferrous sulfate is added to the boiling water or/and the rinsing solution it also will help define the damascus pattern more when scrubbed with fine steel wool.
Last edited by Stallones; 04/20/13 10:53 AM.
