Rust Bluing To Thin

[CUMMINS]

I have been lurking around here for a while, and finally got registered. I am amazed at the knowledge of the members on this site, which is why I decided to seek help here. I have rust blued around 10 different rifles, using the Laurel Mtn. solution with fairly good results. However, I've had one reoccurring problem with the bluing being thin around edges, whether it be sharp reciever corners, trigger guards or sights. The flat surfaces always come out nice. It doesn't seem to matter how many times I card/ and boil, the color around the edges is never as dark as the surrounding areas. I have finish sanded with everything from 150 grit, for a matte finish, to 320 grit for a shiny finish. I recently did a 1971 win. 94, and experimented with just rusting the corners for 4-5 cycles after I had obtained the finish I wanted on the rest of the rifle, and the corners are still lighter. What am I doing wrong?

[waksupi]

I would say it is something in your carding method. What are you using? 0000steel wool is bad for doing it. I use a carding wheel from Brownell's, and still need a light hand.

Welcome aboard.

[CUMMINS]

Yeah, I use 4/0 steel wool, but I always take it easy. Are the carding wheels really that much more gentle?

[Lead Fred]

Its called Browning, not rust bluing

[waksupi]

Fred, you are confusing things. Rust bluing involves rusting processes.

The carding wheels are very gentle. Even at a fairly high rpm, they are only a tickle on the fingers.

[Lead Fred]

Browning is controlled rusting

[btroj]

As is bluing.

[beezapilot]

OK- I ordered a carding wheel from Brownells today. I'm going to try re-bluing the worlds ugliest shotgun. I've scrubbed off the rust chunks with 600 grit- and there are still some rust pits, there is a fair amount of discoloration of the steel. From 600 to steel wool? The carding wheel was suggested by the tech at Brownells to clean the engraving. Do I progress to rubbing/ polishing compound??

[waksupi]

Whoa, back up. You just hit on a large part of the problem. Sand it down to 320, no finer. You aren't leaving any "tooth" for the rust.

[codgerville@zianet.com]

[QUOTE=waksupi;2466765]Whoa, back up. You just hit on a large part of the problem. Sand it down to 320, no finer. You aren't leaving any "tooth" for the rust.[/QUOTE
Agree with that.

[beezapilot]

Thanks gents... Might just have saved me some considerable frustration.

[22cf45]

Waksupi, I think you hit the nail on the head the first time in that the carding being used was too aggressive. I use the fine Brownells wheel in my drill press which I have down on the lowest RPM setting but I still use some caution on edges. However, I polish down to 400 grit with a wheel and then finally hand sand with 600. I've never had a problem getting the rust to bite.
Phil