De-rusting and etching Damascus gun barrel

Rick · 25th April 2011, 11:11 PM

Bead blasting could be a viable alternative .

This service is widely available .
There are all kinds of blasting media that would not damage steel; retaining patina might be a problem .

RDGAC · 25th April 2011, 11:27 PM

I'm a bit wary of any blasting process, in no small part because I have in my possession a bayonet (French Chassepot model, I think) which, unfortunately, was glass blasted in order to remove rust. Patina's gone, but more critically, so have some small details on the blade itself (stamped and engraved numbers and letters) which would have helped ID it. With that in mind, I'm not sure about using it on this barrel. I think first thing to do is try my hand at a gentle experimental etch with a mild acid, on an area which remains out of sight but which has remaining pattern and corrosion. That'll enable some assessment of the results. Any thoughts?

Rick · 25th April 2011, 11:49 PM

Yeah, I was thinking Walnut shells .

ward · 26th April 2011, 02:26 AM

Ferricc chloride is a standard ferric sulphate, muratic,photoghraphic fixer,etc. If it were me I would try a small amount every inch or so it will be easy to compare the results. I use bee's wax to mask off items. make sure you apply your acides or salts with a cheap paint brush. Also make sure you nutralize it after. some just use soap and water afterwards. you can also use baking soda if paranoid. I would not glass bead anything unless you want to lose crisp edges and detail work.
ward

RDGAC · 5th May 2011, 12:12 PM

Just did a quick experimental etch with citric acid; pretty mild stuff, but the FeCl3 is on order now (in pellet form; didn't fancy the prospect of having to hump a 5-litre drum of liquid acid about). The result's been mixed. It's definitely resulted in a slight etch; problem is that, just as with the de-corroder, it's also dulled the surface. I'm not sure whether that's something that's inherent to the etching process, or if I'm just making a mess of it.

Hopefully, even a dulled surface can gently be polished back to life. Anyway, I'm going to proceed with a test etch using FeCl3 once I've got it and made it up to the appropriate strength. Should be good; fingers crossed!

26th April 2011, 02:26 AM	#4
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	ETCHING Ferricc chloride is a standard ferric sulphate, muratic,photoghraphic fixer,etc. If it were me I would try a small amount every inch or so it will be easy to compare the results. I use bee's wax to mask off items. make sure you apply your acides or salts with a cheap paint brush. Also make sure you nutralize it after. some just use soap and water afterwards. you can also use baking soda if paranoid. I would not glass bead anything unless you want to lose crisp edges and detail work. ward

25th April 2011, 11:11 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Bead blasting could be a viable alternative . This service is widely available . There are all kinds of blasting media that would not damage steel; retaining patina might be a problem .

25th April 2011, 11:27 PM	#2
RDGAC Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: York, UK Posts: 167	I'm a bit wary of any blasting process, in no small part because I have in my possession a bayonet (French Chassepot model, I think) which, unfortunately, was glass blasted in order to remove rust. Patina's gone, but more critically, so have some small details on the blade itself (stamped and engraved numbers and letters) which would have helped ID it. With that in mind, I'm not sure about using it on this barrel. I think first thing to do is try my hand at a gentle experimental etch with a mild acid, on an area which remains out of sight but which has remaining pattern and corrosion. That'll enable some assessment of the results. Any thoughts?

25th April 2011, 11:49 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Yeah, I was thinking Walnut shells .

5th May 2011, 12:12 PM	#5
RDGAC Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: York, UK Posts: 167	Just did a quick experimental etch with citric acid; pretty mild stuff, but the FeCl3 is on order now (in pellet form; didn't fancy the prospect of having to hump a 5-litre drum of liquid acid about). The result's been mixed. It's definitely resulted in a slight etch; problem is that, just as with the de-corroder, it's also dulled the surface. I'm not sure whether that's something that's inherent to the etching process, or if I'm just making a mess of it. Hopefully, even a dulled surface can gently be polished back to life. Anyway, I'm going to proceed with a test etch using FeCl3 once I've got it and made it up to the appropriate strength. Should be good; fingers crossed!