Talk to me about Parkerizing

SIGShooter · 09-30-2010, 18:32

What are the benefits? Kind of a "Pros and Cons" type discussion.

Do you think a good parkerized finish is better than some of the newer finishes out there?

bac1023 · 09-30-2010, 19:33

Its an acid bath, more or less.

Its durable and its cheap.

SIGShooter · 09-30-2010, 19:39

http://www.ccrrefinishing.com/hg.htm

Scroll to the last section of the page. This is the particular finish I'm thinking about. I like the blued 1911 but for some reason the blueing doesn't like me. It has to be my sweat/salt/whatever that is killing my bluing.

I'm looking for something durable, cheap, strong and easy maintenance.

GVFlyer · 09-30-2010, 19:45

Parkerizing is a durable finish, but not of the quality of modern coatings/treatments. I've used it on worn guns that I wanted to protect, but not reblue.

SIGShooter · 09-30-2010, 19:53

One of the things I have an issue with, modern day coatings, they are slippery as all hell. Especially on a day of intense shooting, sweat, oil, grease and the likes.

I like matte black finishes that aren't slippery. Of course I really have a liking of the NP3 coating. But I know nothing about that.

Carrots · 09-30-2010, 20:27

If you don't want slippery forget NP3.

I like a Park'ds gun - all business and cheap and easy to re do.

El_Ron1 · 09-30-2010, 20:29

Park is only as protective as the oil you keep on it .

bac1023 · 09-30-2010, 20:48

Nice avatar Ron

BOGE · 09-30-2010, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Ron1

Park is only as protective as the oil you keep on it .

Ditto.

RonS · 10-01-2010, 07:06

More durable than black oxide.
Flat, non gloss finish.
Works well under many baked on finishes due to the rough nature.
Don't do it to a match grade barrel, it does change the texture of the surface of the metal.
Not as rust resistant as plating, but also not a plating so not as much dimension change.
Usually cheap. You can even get home parkerizing kits, but I will not swear that they provide the exact same treatment as a professional job.

Brucev · 10-01-2010, 07:31

I have a parkerized SA Mil-Spec. 1911. I have handled, shot and carried this pistol for almost a year. There is no telling how much I have dry fired it and practiced simply drawing, etc. The finish is is excellent condition. There is no discoloration or any sign of wear, etc. on the front strap. On blued pistols, I have found this to be a place where the finish begins to be affected by sweat, etc. YMMV.

Drestin Black · 10-01-2010, 11:21

I was going to go park I would get a kit from brownells.

But going that way I would recommend acid blue. It's more work but more durable and beautiful. You can google info on it if interested.

cowboywannabe · 10-01-2010, 11:48

park. is a good sacraficial finish. when i was in the service in the mid 80's to '91 before we switched to the M9 we used 1911s that id swear were older than i was....never been refinished, used and while not abused, neglected often.....i was impressed by the park. finish at that point.

FLIPPER 348 · 10-01-2010, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

Its an acid bath, more or less.

Its durable and its cheap.

It's all a true 1911 needs.

SIGShooter · 10-01-2010, 13:33

Okay, so I'm thinking of the Parkerized finish from CCR with the clear coat seal.

What are some other top notch finishes you can think of. I'm going to call about the Black-T.

How about some of your ideas...