Parkarized Finish is a layer of zinc or manganese phosphate, which you can apply on carbon steel, cast iron, and low-alloy steel to prevent galling and boost lubrication. Firearms and motor vehicle industries apply heavy use of parkarizing to prevent adverse effects of corrosion. The process applies only to ferrous metals since non-ferrous metals have their corresponding treatment processes.
How Can You Apply a Parkarized Finish?
It is essential to note that the parkarizing process can be outrightly dangerous, whether you do it correctly at home or not. The most advisable way to apply Parkarized Finish is to take it to professionals for expert services. Pros have the right equipment and skills to ensure that the process observes the highest levels of safety.
For a long time, only the military had been using Parkarized Finish. Later, other users such as collectors of military rifles and smart hunters adopted the practice. Phosphate is the most popular parkarizing chemical due to its ability to retain rust preservatives and lubricants.
However, if you can adequately have all the safety measures in place, here is how the process works.
The Process
The Parkerizing process starts with the preparation of the parkarizing solution itself. Industrialists have an elaborate process that prepares the parkarizing solution while taking total precaution to prevent chemical-related accidents. The process requires proper ventilation due to potentially harmful acid fumes that it emits.
Step 1: Get the Gun Ready
Getting the gun ready for parkarization involves several activities. The first activity is to disassemble the guns and separate aluminum and brass parts from steel since the Parkarized Finish can damage them completely.
Thereafter, degrease the parts you intend to parkarize using a suitable degreasing agent such as TCE Cleaner. The purpose of this is to remove all lubricant and preservative residues. Any dirt residue could give a bad-looking pasteurized finish.
You can also opt to polish and sand the surfaces using appropriate agents. This will make the parkarized result appear darker and evenly distributed.
Step 2: Clean the Parts
After preparing the parts, you can hang them appropriately before suspending them in a cleaning solution. You can get an appropriate cleaning solution from any chemical store near you. Ensure that you scrub the parts appropriately as you suspend them in the cleaning solution.
Do not forget to rinse by submerging the parts in clean flowing water or spraying with an appropriate nozzle or hose. Rinsing removes traces of the cleaning agent. Also, suspend them in hot water to boost the rinsing process and eliminate stubborn elements.
Step 3: Use the Parkerizing Solution Now
Remove the parts from the hot water and quickly suspend them into the Parkerizing solution. Please do not allow them to cool before coming into contact with the solution. Cooling attracts the onset of rust, which inhibits the Parkarized Finish.
The parkarizing process produces sludge that may cause imperfect coatings. The main precaution here is to make sure the sludge does not touch the parts. Remove the residue regularly to prevent accumulation to uncontrollable levels.
Contact industrial Experts for Specialized Services
If you have safety concerns and crave professional results, contact professional parkarizing experts. Certified experts such as Advanced Technical Finishing specialize in this industry. Leave your Parkarized Finish in their hands and enjoy the results.
