Help with parkerizing

[bragood]

Ok I have parkerized several projects so far using some of the lauer's mixture and even a little I made myself. So far they have turned out awesome! My only problem is trying to park a barrel or other long part. I dont really want to buy a stainless steel pot that Id have to invest a fortune in. Anyone have any experience with this and found a better solution?

 

[Riss]

A tube of pvc pipe that is capped on one end is an option. Preheat the barrel a little and then pour the heated solution in the pvc with the barrel inside. Other is to get a chafing pan, the kind used on steam tables to cook it in.

 

[35 Whelen]

Check with your local metal fabricators. I had a 42"x5"x5" stainless vat made for less than $50. They cut a formed the vat, and I welded the seams. I Parkerized an Enfield 2A with homemade solution using this vat and it looks great!
35W

 

[jglenn]

enameled pots will work very well. you can get a 16 qt from bed bath and beyond

 

[NCsmitty]

You first need to prep the surface with a sandblaster and I flush the surface with carb cleaner before parkerizing. Clean and no fingerprints.
I have parkerized several action and barrel combos using a wire through the rear action screw hole, suspended above a propane stove with the solution in an enameled pan and heated to 190 degrees. You need to mix the solution as per instructions. Then slowly pour the solution down the whole unit over and over, keeping the temp of the solution at the optimal level. You do not have to have more than a quart of solution to do the job. I plug the chamber and muzzle with wood dowels ground to fit. It takes about 10 minutes of constant pouring to achieve that gray patina needed. Flush the outside with plain water and run a couple patches through the bore after removing the plugs. An oil patch for last. You need to keep the outside super clean if you plan to coat the metal with the Duracoat or whatever you prefer.

NCsmitty

 

[Riss]

I always put the parts in when the bath is either cold or just starting to get warm (not yet hot). I get the deepest black color this way and have had parts not finish properly if the bath is too hot when the parts are put in. Possibly the acid gets more time to etch the parts when they are put in cold and the Parkerizing is not yet up to temp to do its job.