M1903A4-gery Build

[95chris]

Small update on this project. With Vulcan Refinishing apparently being sold, I decided to try parkerizing on my own. Wanting that green/grey finish on what we see today I decided to go for a zinc phosphate solution. I applied some Quick Strip with a brush to the hardware to begin the removal process and then media blasted them with what I had at work. It's a 240 grit media and it leaves a smooth but fine textured finish so that the solution can adhere to it.

I used a tall 4L stainless steel pot with a removable basket along with a portable induction stove top so I can do this outside. To minimize the amount of material I needed, I went for a 1.5L solution, just enough to sit above the parts. Instructions calls for a 1:25 oz ratio that's equaled to about 2oz:50oz / 60mL:1500mL mixture. Solution was heated to below boiling at approximately 80 C and the parts were dipped in for about 5-10 minutes or so. Removed and dipped into water and applied oil.

I'm pretty happy with the results. I wish I grabbed a better before photo though.

I'm looking to the buttplate, and the bolt assembly next. Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I see online, everything besides the striker pin, striker sleeve and spring can be parked. Are the lugs and bolt face also parkerized? I can lower the media pressure if needed when doing those areas or tape them when blasting and just degrease them prior to dipping.

 

[Claven2]

Small update on this project. With Vulcan Refinishing apparently being sold, I decided to try parkerizing on my own. Wanting that green/grey finish on what we see today I decided to go for a zinc phosphate solution. I applied some Quick Strip with a brush to the hardware to begin the removal process and then media blasted them with what I had at work. It's a 240 grit media and it leaves a smooth but fine textured finish so that the solution can adhere to it.

I used a tall 4L stainless steel pot with a removable basket along with a portable induction stove top so I can do this outside. To minimize the amount of material I needed, I went for a 1.5L solution, just enough to sit above the parts. Instructions calls for a 1:25 oz ratio that's equaled to about 2oz:50oz / 60mL:1500mL mixture. Solution was heated to below boiling at approximately 80 C and the parts were dipped in for about 5-10 minutes or so. Removed and dipped into water and applied oil.

I'm pretty happy with the results. I wish I grabbed a better before photo though.

I'm looking to the buttplate, and the bolt assembly next. Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I see online, everything besides the striker pin, striker sleeve and spring can be parked. Are the lugs and bolt face also parkerized? I can lower the media pressure if needed when doing those areas or tape them when blasting and just degrease them prior to dipping.

No special precautions for the bolt body. Just blast and park. The bearing surface are hard, media blasting won’t hurt them.

It forts the bolt will feel al little gravelly but will wear in quickly. Just cycle it a few hundred times and it will be like butter.

 

[95chris]

No special precautions for the bolt body. Just blast and park. The bearing surface are hard, media blasting won’t hurt them.

It forts the bolt will feel al little gravelly but will wear in quickly. Just cycle it a few hundred times and it will be like butter.

Awesome, thanks for the clarification. I'm assuming this applies to the receiver side for the lugs too? I'm considering doing it on my own at some point and just seeing what I can and can't park. Bore is a no go of course so I'll see if I can find some wooden plugs for both ends.

I don't have the means to get a tank or burners but because the reaction happens below boiling and pretty quickly I think I can go the PVC pipe route. Bring the solution to a boil and pour and drop the barrelled action in. Going to find something to test this on before regretting it though!

 

[purple]

I use a ceramic crock pot as a parkerizing vessel which works well.