[Caimlas]

I'm looking into parkerizing a gun project, but there are a lot of different products out there which seem to have slightly different colors. I know the difference between a dark manganese and a grey zinc parkerizing job, but it's my understanding that it's not so cut and dry; there are lighter maganese and darker grey park formulas, too.

First, does anyone have any advice on which commercial formulas are of a good quality and which should be avoided? Second, I'd be looking for the flattest black manganese and a fairly mild zinc park (color: like freshly tarred and graveled asphalt after the gravel has been pushed in for a couple weeks) kit. Any suggestions?

Specifically, does anyone have any input on these solution mixes?

Brownell's products: http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/catsearch.aspx?k=parkerizing+solution&ps=10&si=True

Radocy Parkerizing Solution (half way down - looks like it's zinc park)
http://www.takedownguides.com/our_products.htm

Any of these products by Shooters Solutions?
http://www.shootersolutions.com/parkerizing.html

[olyeller]

Im a fan of the brownells mang. phosphate. Never had a problem with it.

[BobCat]

Had very good luck with the Brownells phosphate. Surface prep and cleanliness are the key.

[Caimlas]

Re: brownells mang phosphate: have any pictures? I'm curious as to how dark it is.

Any key things to look out for with regard to prep cleanliness?

[olyeller]

The darkness has a lot to do with the condition and quality of the base metal. There have been some 1911 slides that, due to the alloy or casting process, have areas that dont darken up as much as others.

heres some pics.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c74/olyeller14/DSCN1569.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c74/olyeller14/DSCN1568-1.jpg
The brownells stuff comes with detailed instructions that are available on their website.