finishes done at home

[22popnsplat]

I have a k31 that I bought at a bargan price and am just about finished with the Sporter stock I bought to replace the original that was beyound repair . The finish on the metal is in  need of attention and am looking for something I can apply at home . I would prefer a durable parkarized finish , anyone have a suggestion ?

[trotterlg]

I've done quite a few barrels and barreled actions with the parkerizing solution from Brownells, it is cheap and dead easy to do.  I use a 3 inch diameter black PVC pipe with a water heater element in the bottom of it, about 3 feet long, just hot it up and lower the sand blasted barrel in for about 10 minutes.  This picture is the finish I got on a Handi barrel.  Larry

[John Traveler]

A home-made "parkerized" (phospated) finish is relatively easy to do.

I've had good results from using Naval Jelly rust remover and water (50/50 solution) in a campstove heated stainless steel cooking pot.  Add some iron filings to the mix.  Just bring it to a slow simmering boil and immerse your part into the mix.  Keep at a low boil for about 30 mutes, remove, rinse, and oil.

Remember that you are working with a hot phosphoric acid solution.  USE EYE, FACE, ARMS, AND HAND PROTECTION when doing this!

[bluebayou]

Larry,
Why the black PVC pipe?  Is it thicker/stronger than the white? 

[trotterlg]

I used black because they had it in the 3 inch size and it was cheap.  Larry

[bluebayou]

Nothing mystical about that.

LOL
Thanks.