PARKERIZING an AK

[Dovii4ever]

I just parkerized an AK over the weekend but what would be the next best step. Should I paint it, does it need to be painted? and what type of paint is best. Open to suggestions

[k1dude]

Cerakote, Moly Resin, Duracoat, Gun-Kote, Aluma-Hyde II, or engine block paint. Your choice. Or you could just oil your park finish.

[MrNiceGuy]

Personally I like the oiled parkerized look.
But you really need to build about 5 more AKs and get one in each finish....:P

[9mmepiphany]

i have a Sig 220 that has a park finish that the gunsmith covered with a bake-on coat for additional protection and color match.

depends on the look you want

[Gowking]

Any particular oil that would be preferred for this application? Motor oil, 3 in 1 or ?

-G

[bigbob76]

Any particular oil that would be preferred for this application? Motor oil, 3 in 1 or ?

-G

There are pricey products advertised as being specifically for this. I bought a can of it and now I use motor oil and/or whatever I've got; STP etc. Right out of the Parkerizing solution I blow it off with air and wrap it in an oil soaked (dripping with oil) towel. I leave it for a few days if possible then wipe it down good and use whatever oil I'm going to use permanently to give it a thin coating. WD40 is often used when parts are taken out of the Parkerizing solution and I believe it's good for moisture displacement but not so good for lubrication.

[Gowking]

I used WD40 as soon as they were removed from the park tank but then I hit them again the next day with another coat and wrapped them in heavy duty plastic bags. They will be stored indoors until I'm ready to oil or paint. Not sure which way to go at this point.

-G

[Dovii4ever]

What type of oil I can use? Motor oil? After parkerizing it I was told to spray the crap out of it with WD 40 then when ready to paint spray it first with brake cleaner let dry then paint, does that sound right?

[k1dude]

What type of oil I can use? Motor oil? After parkerizing it I was told to spray the crap out of it with WD 40 then when ready to paint spray it first with brake cleaner let dry then paint, does that sound right?

I was told to wash it in acetone to get the WD-40 off. Then let it dry. Then paint.

[krazz]

Did you park in a SS tank, or use a PVC pipe with heating element? I'll be attempting this for the first time soon.

[247Nino]

I was told to wash it in acetone to get the WD-40 off. Then let it dry. Then paint.

gowking helped me with this part then I hit it with some bbq grill paint good to 1200 degrees but the paint will scratch off on parts like the selector notch and the handguard levers.

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=112

the park looked great but this gave my cheap build a nice cheap finish...

[NRAhighpowershooter]

I use a Zinc Park bath and after the rinse, I use a high sulphur oil batch for 24hrs.

[k1dude]

gowking helped me with this part then I hit it with some bbq grill paint good to 1200 degrees but the paint will scratch off on parts like the selector notch and the handguard levers.

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=112

the park looked great but this gave my cheap build a nice cheap finish...

Alex said the reason he didn't use high temp BBQ paint was because it isn't as impervious to oils and cleaners like engine block paint is. Aluma-Hyde II is only $13 per spray can. So that's the route I'll probably take.

[Dovii4ever]

Any brands of paint better than the other?

[SJgunguy24]

If you plan to shoot paint as the final finish. K phos is great stuff and a cold park solution. I used that on a Romy G kit, half way through the Aluma Hyde 2 application the damn nozzle clogged. So I did the rest with some flat black, well I have new nozzles and it's a PITA to get the old finish off. That k phos and AH2 combo is good stuff. I have a single coat clear spray epoxy i'll use on the inside of the receiver.