Seasoning a Parkerized finish

[DblGonzo]

I read an article about baking (Seasoning) the parkerized finish on my SA 1911A1 GI. The author did a total breakdown and then slathered every part in Hoppe's gun grease. Put it in an oven on 250 for about 3 hrs. The process is to prevent any rust. I keep my 1911 well lubricated when it is stored. Would this help or just another urban myth?

This is the only parkerized gun I have ever owned and have not done that much research into the finish.

 

[Maj Dad]

Myth - Oh, Myth...

Yeth? I think tho... There is no published data supporting this, though it is one of those sub-urban legends. Will it hurt? No. Will it help? No data - do it if you want, or not, but phosphatizing (the process made famous by the Parker Rust-Proof Phosphating Company but which dates to the 1800's) is the rust preventive. You can slop on Cosmoline and let it cure & it will take on a greenish hue so loved by us devotees of WW2 and Korean War era Garands & other weapons. Just don't expect it overnight. And there are refinishers out there who can give you the color you want - who says you can't buy instant antiques?

(personally I use Tetra grease rubbed into the parkerizing - more as a lube than rust preventive, but hey - whatever!)

 

[DBR]

Eezox works great with phosphate finishes. It goes into the phosphate and lasts a long time.

http://www.eezox.com/gun-care.html

 

[GunTech]

I've had a number of Austrian FALs with baked oil over park finish. It looks different but I'm not sure it helps with durability. Might make it more non-stick though.

 

[Snowdog]

I've never had a parkerized pistol rust. I use a light coat of oil when put away as I do with all my firearms, be it parkerized, blued, nickeled or stainless.
I know some folks who store their straight razors in mineral oil rather than simply keeping them dry.
Some folks have their methods and it's best not to argue with their "logic".

 

[Onmilo]

What was the writer planning to do, fry eggs on the pistol?

That is one of the dumber ideas I have heard about.

Like the other posters have reported, a light coat of oil goes a long, long way to preventing rust.
Use a Teflon based lubricant and the Teflon will settle into the pores on a molecular level for lasting protection, no baking necessary.

 

[gb6491]

...Might make it more non-stick though.

+1, I think the idea comes from how cast iron skillets are "seasoned".
Being curious, I actually tried it once on a freshly parkerized frame and slide. The temperature I used was a little higher than mentioned in the OP; the idea being to bake/burn the oil/grease on to the surface. The resulting finish seemed quite durable (ever tried to remove burnt grease from an oven) and proved stubborn to remove with an abrasive blaster. The problems I saw was that it is difficult to get even coverage with and is also not the most attractive finish (being varying shades of green and brown). I imagine the final results could be tweaked for better coverage and appearance, but I didn't feel it worth the effort. Modern paints/coatings offer similar durability with much better coverage and more eye pleasing results.
Regards,
Greg

 

[Oro]

I for one would sure like to hear someone with real experience chime in. Sounds like gb6491 gave it a try with positive results.

I've heard about "oiling" and seasoning Parkerizing and never given much thought to it. Now I have a Parkerized gun I am using/handling regularly (an old Army .45 with an arsenal refinish). The finish was perfect when I got it, but now I am finding it isn't as durable as I expected and is thinning in spots of regular handling and showing marks easily. Last week I did try applying a few drizzles of machine oil on it, and to my surprise, the oil just disappeared within a few minutes as if the Parkerizing absorbed it. Color me "surprised."

Perhaps next week I'll "season" it and see what happens and report back in a few weeks. I'll try to do some research on it beforehand, of course. Perhaps Old Fuff, rcmodel, or some other guys with GI rifles and experience in this might know.

 

[JTQ]

I believe fellow THR member XavierBreath has performed this operation and done a write-up.

 

[Orlando]

Thats the reason firearms are parkerized. They hold grease, oil better than nonparkerized finishes so they will not rust as easily. Cant see how baking it would have any effect other than the grease getting thin and running off

 

[AK103K]

I wouldnt bake it with anything. Eezox will be your best bet for what you have right now, followed by another type finish if your really worried about rust.

Park is OK as a finish, but its not "great". Its easy to do and fairly durable if done properly, but the finish can vary greatly, depending on how its done. Some guns barely have a thin wash that shows wear quickly, where others are heavily crystallized, and hold up a lot better.