[PumpAction]

Has anyone had issues with the parkerized finish on an 870/870P where flecks of the finish have come off, exposing the metal underneath? I wipe down the barrel with Ballistol after cleaning it, and it hasn't seen any rough treatment in the few months I've had it.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df31b3127cceb3f6703c68ba00000027103DYtHDRkY

[Rshooter]

The few months you have had it? Is it new? Call Remington!:what:

Sorry, I need to add I have ten years of service on my parkerized 870 and have seen nothing like that. I have three other parkerized guns that also have never seen anything like that.

[PumpAction]

I got it new. I searched on the forums a bit here and heard nothing similar. In fact, most posts said the parkerized finish was more durable than the gloss finishes on the other models. Good advice, I'll call Remington tomorrow and find out if there's something suspect about the finish on my hardware.

[Rshooter]

From what I have seen the parkerized finish is the best. Please let me know what Remington says, I am curious.

Thanks,

SSGTWard@comcast.net

[HisDivineShadow]

Do you use solvents or degreasing products on your gun when you clean it? Have you applied liberal coats of oil and let the finish absorb it?

Parkerization is a very durable finish, but it doesn't start out that way, needs to suck up oil and fats to get those properties. I'm pretty sure the finish from factory is pretty bone dry and if you have never given it a good lubing or used stuff thsat degreases then the finish is probably very weak.

[dasanii19]

Listen to Hisdivineshadow, he knows his stuff. Took the words right out of my mouth :)

[PumpAction]

HisDivineShadow, I have not done what you've suggested but I appreciate your inputs. Any advice on what products have worked best for you?

In addition to the finish problem, I seem to spend a lot of time cleaning the barrel using the Ballistol. It seems to do a good job cleaning the gunk from the barrel of handguns, but not so well with shotguns.

[dasanii19]

Completely field strip your 870 and saturate all the parkerized parks with rem oil. Let it sit for as long as you want. I usually let it sit for 1/2-1hr or so (while im cleaning my other parts). You will see how the finish sorta sucks in the oil. I usually keep spraying it..

Obviously you doing this now wont fix the "chips" you have. If you call Remington dont tell them you didnt pre soak it. Is it only on your barrel? If so, complain until they give you another and ask for them to pay your shipping fees. Remington is one of the good guys, they have always treated me good. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

By the way, good choice on the 870P. Keep it for the rest of your life (or sell it to me if you do decide to sell.. :)

[HisDivineShadow]

I thought rem-oil wasn't really an oil in the traditional sense but some teflon-like compound to give the gun a water resistant layer? I would personally soak the gun in CLP or even just mineral oil. Then maybe put on rem-oil on top for extra water resistance.

[dasanii19]

Well, Rem oil comes in the box with your 870P and explains to use it to soak the shogun with. Im not saying its the best but I dont think Remington would suggest something on their product that didnt work??

I actually spray my 870p down with Rem Oil and let it sit for a while then wipe it all down. I then use more of a "lubracant" type oil with a thicker body to it. I get really detailed, I actually message the lub into the parkerized finish with my finger in circular motions. I let it sit for a little while longer, then wipe it all down with a silicone rag. I dont know if my method works "better or best" but my parkerized finish seems very healthy :)

[HisDivineShadow]

Well I am not sure about RemOils properties, it's just something I "overheard" once. Still I do like CLP break-free, which I think might contain teflon as well.

This is so far the most interesting method I have seen, no chance to try it yet myself:
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/02/parkerizing-truth-vs-tales.html

[MAX100]

Call Remington and have them fix it. We all know that the finish on new guns is not suppose to flake like that. It is a good idea to soak a Parkerized finish in oil but I have had many guns with a Parkerzied finish and never soaked them in oil and none of them have flaked like that. That is a Remington QC issue not yours. That is one of Remington's top of the line 870 shotguns.

If that had been a low cost shotgun everyone would be saying:

You get what you pay from.
Buy cheap buy twice
Junk!
Should have bought a Remington.


GC

[Fumbler]

You sure that's not embedded lint from your oiled rag/patch?

The parkerized like finish is very rough and tends to pull lint easy.

[PumpAction]

So far, this problem is only happening on the barrel and it's only that small patch shown in the picture. There has been some lint that gets stuck to the barrel easily, but these are spots of exposed metal. I thought I was being a detail freak but I bought a Remington for the reasons that Max and dasanii brought up: I wanted a firearm that was good for life.

I called Remington and they said they haven't heard of any reports of this. They said to take it to an authorized repair center in my area who will then either refinish the barrel or send it back to Remington for refinishing/replacement. Right now, Remington is at around 4 week turnaround if it goes into their shop. I won't get to a repair center until next week but I'll update the thread when things progress. Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

[Leadhead]

Degrease it and paint it with a good gun paint if you want a bomber low maintenance finish.

[dfariswheel]

Remington has a problem with parkerizing barrels on rare occasions.
My Police barrel was a two-tone.
The rear of the barrel was a slightly lighter color then the front of the barrel.

Remington re-finished the barrel quickly and for no charge.
I recommend contacting them through their excellent customer service system for return instructions.

I recommend spraying the entire gun, inside and out (except for wood) with CLP Breakfree.
Allow to soak for 20 minutes, wipe off the excess and reassemble.
Every time you handle or shoot the gun, apply another thin coat to the exterior.
This will build up a layer of Teflon that will prevent rust.

CLP is a thicker liquid than Rem-Oil and seems to work better.
Some salt water hunters apply a thick coat of Johnson's Paste Wax and heat it with a hair dryer to melt it into the metal.
This too prevents rust, but I prefer the CLP for it's lubricating AND rust preventing properties.

[MAX100]

LeadHead made good suggestion. I would refinish it with Ceramic paint. I plan to do the barrel on my Mossberg 930 SPX because the finish is not very durable with thin places after only two months of ownership. I posted a thread on the Ceramic paint in the Gunsmithing section of THR. It is more durable than parkerized finish and trouble fee. It looks a lot like Parkerizing and will match the rest of your gun. I have done many firearms with it. Check it out, even if you don't want to use it on your 870P. You may decide use later on. A Nice professional looking finish and easy to apply. I just refinished a whole shotgun with it and plan to post pictures of it soon. It looks excellent. It looks like it came that way from the factory.

My SPX cost around the same price as your 870P so I know what you are feeling.


GC

[Waywatcher]

Does it brush away with a stiff nylon brush or a bronze brush?

[PumpAction]

I am pleased to report Remington refinished the barrel free of charge under warranty. It took almost 8 weeks door-to-door; hopefully the new finish holds up well.

[dfariswheel]

It should.
Probably, the metal was contaminated when the original finish was applied.
Remington has a good track record of fixing these things.

Be sure and soak the finish with CLP Breakfree as posted above.

[Guyon]

Good to hear they took care of it.

I marinate my 870s in CLP.