Well I brush the barrel with solvent first. Then I give it a hot water bath. After the first bath, I change the water and give it a boiling water bath to heat the barrel. After that I run some solvent patches down it. Finally a thin film of Rem Oil for storage. What I am wondering is, are you really seeing dirt on the patches or are you seeing solvent traces? I wouldn't guess you are bring rust out, it sounds like you are doing too good a job. A lot of times my patches will look a little less then bright white, but that is to the solvents I am using and not so much what is coming out of the barrel. In fact I checked all the Bp guns today with a bore light and they are still as clean as the day I got them. I actually am rather proud of that fact seeing some of them are 20 years old. I am sure your guns are clean... sounds like you are doing a great job, but that is my opinion only... take care and good shooting