Home brew parkerizing question???

[CaliBoundAR15]

I have always used Lauer's manganese park solution in the past with awesome results. Now, due to increased cost with their solution and some other reasons, I'd like to try a home brew method. I have all the supplies except for I'm having trouble finding a pottery supply store in San Diego County that carries manganese dioxide powder.... Anyone have any ideas? I'd rather not order it from out of state as I'm trying to get some parts done for this Tuesday.

[ott1]

Alkaline D-cell batteries?

[Alex$]

You can get it from batteries as mentioned, but it takes time.

Try art studio or places that offer classes in pottery. It is used as a glaze finish on pottery and is usually bought in many pound lots by owners, 3 to 4 dollars a pound would be fair price. But if you are in a hurry, even double that price is worth not tearing batteries apart in my book.

[CaliBoundAR15]

Yeah, forgot to mention the battery thing.... I'd rather not do that as it's a pain in the butt and more expensive that buying it in bulk. Thanks for the replies so far.

[M1NM]

Please post the how-to for this process. I've got an old Winchester riot gun all bead blasted and in need of refinishing.
thanks

[CaliBoundAR15]

Please post the how-to for this process. I've got an old Winchester riot gun all bead blasted and in need of refinishing.
thanks

Ok, Hopefully I'm allowed to post this link: http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=29

This does a better job explaining it than I can here in this thread.

[kcstott]

National city theres a Ceramics shop on Cleveland just south of civic center. 3.00 per pound. I may still have some laying around from my attempt.

Here's what I found
1. get the correct amount of phosphoric acid in the solution. Very little is needed.
2. very little manganese is needed as well.
3. Use distilled water
4. don't let the solution over heat or get cold. Once that happens it's done and it will not work next time. I don't know why but it happened every time.
That's was also why I gave up. What good is a solution that you have to throw out after each use?

I can reuse Lauer's stuff

[Alex$]

Kc, not sure what happened with your attempt, but I am still using my brew for over a year and half. Probably 15 - 18 uses now. I have to replace distilled water each time and have added a gallon of mix during that time.

You have to get the scale out, but beyond that you should be able to use it multiple times.

If you make your own solution you will want to experiment before you do your real job. Be preparred to try different things.

I don't use the prep and etch, I couldn't find it without additives to the phosphoric acid. I used Krud Kutter concrete cleaner and etch which is a 40% solution of phosphoric acid with no additives.

Good luck.

[kcstott]

I think that's what it was. Additives in the mix. I'm over it. I tried to cheep out. But $28 a gallon I can't go wrong. Besides the customers are paying to it not me so it just another cost of doing business.
I may at some point give it a shot again. But not on a customers gun. I wonder how many rifles you can get out at a gallon of concentrate??? The build parties seem to have now problem doing twenty to forty rifles under some brutal conditions.

[Alex$]

As I understand it, if you keep it contaminant free it will remain usable. Have to decant it to keep scale out, add water back in that you lose during cooking, occasionally add some mix to make up for spillage etc..

I was told you cannot buy gallon size if Krud Kutter due to hazerdous shipping, but quart size you can buy. (atf didn't corner the market on stupid regs, epa has some too). Quart is enough for 4 gallons mixed.

My tank holds 3 gallons comfortably, my storage tank happens to also be 3 gallons. (don't you love planning). My park pot also is 3 gallons.

I did a bunch of my own firearms and tools and various bit of experimental metal before I started on customer guns. First few customers were barter until I felt comfortable restoring and new finishing.

I still want to play with zinc since a few of my buddies want to park and paint instead of park and oil. One day...

[secret.asian.man]

Ebay $4 and $10

[CaliBoundAR15]

Ebay $4 and $10

Umm...read my OP. NOT wanting to order it as I want to get a batch going this Tues.

KC gave me some good info anyway. BTW, where are you getting Lauer for $28?? With the stupid shipping regs, I'm looking at around $55 total... I've always liked the Lauer, but my solution has done one too many belt feds and needs replaced because everything is coming out dull gray now.

Alex, do they sell the Krud Kutter at any of the major home improvement stores?

[kcstott]

Umm...read my OP. NOT wanting to order it as I want to get a batch going this Tues.

KC gave me some good info anyway. BTW, where are you getting Lauer for $28?? With the stupid shipping regs, I'm looking at around $55 total... I've always liked the Lauer, but my solution has done one too many belt feds and needs replaced because everything is coming out dull gray now.

Alex, do they sell the Krud Kutter at any of the major home improvement stores?

Midway has it for $28 then tack on shipping $45 to my door. Still beats Brownell's at $81 a gallon but with their stuff you only need a half gallon to make 4.5 gallons of solution. When this stuff dies I'll either try the home brew again or just pony up and get the brownell's stuff One bottle of that should last a few years.

[Alex$]

Meeks carries Krud Kutter