Refinishing metal on my VZ-52. Park or Phosphor?

[Ezra Coli]

I don't know much about the two kinds of finishes. Parkerized finish was original on the metal of this old VZ rifle. The guy who last owned this one refinished it with enamel, which I noticewd he did so to cover a few riust spots. I'm stripping the enamel and will clean it up right, but someone tell me if I should parkerize the parts or is a phosphor coating better (or are they the same?)?

I want to protect the metal, have it look original (dark grey park), and last forever (well, until I shoot out the barrel)

[Schuetzenman]

Hehehehe! Parkerizing is the name for putting a layer of Zinc or Magnesium Phosphate on steel. So, yes the are two names for the same thing.

BTW the Zinc phosphate is the light gray colored parker and the Magnesium phosphate is the black looking. I'd use the magnesium as I think the black is better looking IMO.

[Ezra Coli]

Originally posted by Schuetzenman
Hehehehe! Parkerizing is the name for putting a layer of Zinc or Magnesium Phosphate on steel. So, yes the are two names for the same thing.

BTW the Zinc phosphate is the light gray colored parker and the Magnesium phosphate is the black looking. I'd use the magnesium as I think the black is better looking IMO.

I figured it would get a chuckle or two. I had no clue but I know you guys will set me straight.

Yeah, I like black on the VZ, it looks nice, but the original is grey. I may go black "just because".

May I display my ignorance in some other manner? Is this a process I can do at home or should I just take it over to Global Trades (they are close by)... Be kida cool to learn to do it myself and I have plenty of hulks to practice on.

[Schuetzenman]

Ezra, doing it at home especially for the barreled receiver will require a long stainless steel or enamled steel tank. Why these for a tank, so the phosphate coating won't stick to them and will stick to your rifles parts.

Small things can be done on the stove top for the hobbist. Brownell's sells some stove top Parkerizing kits. They also sell the chemicals to do it professionally and the tanks. For the tank you'll need a tube burner and a regulator on a stand that will hold the tank of boiling hot water up so you can dunk the barreld action in the tank and leave it there while it deposits the parkerizing on it.

I use to have an acquaintance that owned a gun refinishing company in Ocala, FL. He parkerized a rifle for me while I watched, it didn't take too long. I think it was only about 30 minutes if that long.

Metal needs to be preped and degreased. Bead blasting is easiest or it could be sanded with wet and dry paper to uniform the finish. One oily finger print and you'll see it in the finish. So you really have to get it degreased and washed off well.

If I was you I'd just take it to Global. If you are verbally skillful you might talk your way into seeing them do some parkerizing to get a feel for the equipment and how long things have to boil.