Any way to DARKEN...

briang2ad · September 2, 2007, 04:00 PM

Parkerization? I have heard guys oiling then baking. This doesn't work. Anyone else have a way. (Of course without reparking or Gunkoting, etc.). Thanks.

w_houle · September 6, 2007, 10:17 PM

I was under the impression that a coat of cosmoline would do it if left on there a little while... not sure how long though.

Slopemeno · September 7, 2007, 01:40 AM

I've put parkerized parts directly in the bluing tank before, which comes out looking like a bead-blast blue.

briang2ad · September 8, 2007, 10:56 AM

Or was the original park process really the deal - a dark greenish finish because of the proprietary nature. Any just try cosmo on a newer parked piece?

Tom2 · September 8, 2007, 11:30 AM

Well if you have a few decades to wait that might work. Might try some cold blue on a degreased place out of the way, or a spare part with that finish. Might work? If it is zinc instead of manganese finish, it will probably always be lighter looking. Also have read about chromic acid being a part of the process for some military finishes, which is pretty hazardous stuff to experiment with. That might affect the color of the finish though, I suspect.

September 2, 2007, 04:00 PM	#1
briang2ad Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2004 Posts: 859	Any way to DARKEN... Parkerization? I have heard guys oiling then baking. This doesn't work. Anyone else have a way. (Of course without reparking or Gunkoting, etc.). Thanks.

September 8, 2007, 10:56 AM	#4
briang2ad Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2004 Posts: 859	Would cosmoline work??? Or was the original park process really the deal - a dark greenish finish because of the proprietary nature. Any just try cosmo on a newer parked piece?

September 6, 2007, 10:17 PM	#2
w_houle Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,391	I was under the impression that a coat of cosmoline would do it if left on there a little while... not sure how long though.

September 7, 2007, 01:40 AM	#3
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	I've put parkerized parts directly in the bluing tank before, which comes out looking like a bead-blast blue.

September 8, 2007, 11:30 AM	#5
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	Well if you have a few decades to wait that might work. Might try some cold blue on a degreased place out of the way, or a spare part with that finish. Might work? If it is zinc instead of manganese finish, it will probably always be lighter looking. Also have read about chromic acid being a part of the process for some military finishes, which is pretty hazardous stuff to experiment with. That might affect the color of the finish though, I suspect.