Dye muzzleloader medal

[Tanker]

So I was at a trapping school today. They were showing different ways to dye traps. The one method was I believe called speed dye or something close to that. It came out a nice brown color. Has anyone tried that or one of the other methods to finish the metal on a muzzleloader. It seems pretty durable. The other methods are boiling with dye or walnut shells. Just curious.

 

[Dutch7]

Perhaps “dye” is more accurate
Never heard of it for period arms but…

 

[Tanker]

Perhaps “dye” is more accurate
Never heard of it for period arms but…

Your right, English and spelling isn't my strong point. I will fix.

 

[Scota@4570]

Original flintlock Hall rifles were colored with a colored varnish type of thing. IT held up nicely. I have seen a mint example and it looked good. IT looked like a shiny brown finish. I do not know how it was done or how to reproduce it.

Slow rust browning is excellent and easy. IT is what I use 90% of the time.

 

[Col. Batguano]

If you are messing with walnut shells take care. There is not a solvent I know of that can remove it from your skin. I tried;
paint thinner / turpentine
tuolene
Xylene
alcohol
acetone
lacquer thinner
gasolene

The only thing I found that works is a belt sander.

 

[waksupi]

I don't think it would be very durable. I always had to dye my traps every couple years it seems.

 

[IanH]

The only thing I found that works is a belt sander

Ferric nitrate is almost as bad. Cremation is the only sure way to remove it.

 

[necchi]

Just curious.

I don't think so,
Traps and firearms have always been used in different manners.
Staining or smoking traps are methods to mask scents and shade to natural environments.
Whereas firearms are subject to daily handling and harsher chemicals such as residue and cleaning agents.
Think about it, touch off some powder and caps on treated trap metal a time or two, and it might need to be be re-treated,,

 

[BillyC]

I’ve always waxed my traps after dyeing. Just dyeing alone it wears off pretty quickly, even with just handling and setting,

 

[54ball]

it only works on trap-guns.

 

[Trot]

New traps never dyed well either had to get a little rusty first. I don't really see it being a good idea.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Cremation is the only sure way to remove it.

Time is more better. And, you don't have to go up in smoke to do it. A few days will do you OK.