Refinishing without losing the parkerization?

[12gaugeTim]

I removed the FCG on my Saiga tonight and I'm contemplating whether or not I should only paint the bare metal that was under the plate on the bottom of the receiver or if I should go all out and refinish it entirely.
I'm not fond of the factory finish and I'm leaning towards a full refinish. Is there any way I can remove the paint while not harming the parkerization? Do I necessarily need to worry about the park or can I trust high temp engine paint to do the job? I hear it's pretty tough.

 

[Driftertank]

I could be wrong (it happens sometimes), but it seems to me that parkerizing is a type of oxidizing finish, like bluing or anodizing, and as such, is actually a property of the metal itself. In that case, a finish remover like paint thinner or stripper should be able to remove the paint without damaging the park, as long as you don't scrub too much. But that's a bit of a WAG on my part, so don't take it as gospel. Hopefully someone who knows for sure will be along soon...

 

[MIL-DOT]

I didn't think there's any Parkerization under the paint, not that I ever heard of. And the paint they use is mighty resilient, but I've heard that brake cleaner will do a number on it.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I don't believe it is. I've bared spots on mine before when stripping, and it's just a poly coat finish. Test an inconspicuous spot. That coating gets matted by brake clean, but not removed. Industrial paint stripper didn't do crap, so good luck getting it bare. Maybe find a buddy with a blast cabinet?

 

[12gaugeTim]

I'm pretty sure the word around town is that all Saigas are paint-over-park finished. I don't have a sandblaster but I read on a different forum that after blasting the owner had to redo the park. It's odd that you described your finish as so tough, most of what I've read disses the factory finish and I agree with them.
But the verdict is, there's not really a chance of me damaging the parkerization with nothing more than household paint strippers?

 

[TurtlePhish]

I could be wrong (it happens sometimes), but it seems to me that parkerizing is a type of oxidizing finish, like bluing or anodizing, and as such, is actually a property of the metal itself. In that case, a finish remover like paint thinner or stripper should be able to remove the paint without damaging the park, as long as you don't scrub too much. But that's a bit of a WAG on my part, so don't take it as gospel. Hopefully someone who knows for sure will be along soon...

Parkerizing is a finish formed by phosphate crystals forming on the surface of the metal, and it's tough stuff. Paint strippers shouldn't harm it at all, but they WILL remove any oil in the parking which should be reapplied ASAP. Parkerizing is somewhat porous and holds oil, preventing corrosion.