[Tommo]

Just received two oprods from Numerich. They both are in about very good condition, mostly due to condition of the finish. One looks like it was never in a rifle, while the other has some mechanical wear marks in what is left of the finish. What I mean is the parkerizing on both is very faded, a very pale green. What would cause this fading, as one of the oprods has no mechanical wear?

 

[blfuller]

Probably depends on the type of parkerizing that was originally used in combination with the process. Zinc Phosphate is a lighter grey where Manganese Phosphate is charcoal gray, almost black. Manganese Phosphate is what is used mostly of late.

 

[Different]

Take a look at the photos in the Commercial M14 Type section of www.imageseek.com/m1a/gallery You'll see zinc phosphate and manganese phosphate Parkerized M14 type stuff.

 

[warbird]

Probably depends on the type of parkerizing that was originally used in combination with the process. Zinc Phosphate is a lighter grey where Manganese Phosphate is charcoal gray, almost black. Manganese Phosphate is what is used mostly of late.

Actually, it's nickel manganese phosphate.

 

[24601]

Tommo,

Are those USGI Op Rods that you got at Numrich? I saw the $80 price tag and didn't know if they were USGI or are in good condition.

 

[Tommo]

They are USGI HRA oprods. The first five I bought were in very good condition, with some finish wear. One had very little wear at all! I have installed them in rifles I built and to replace SA Inc oprods. They function with no problems. They have a dark green parkerizing, it is not grey or black!

The two I just received this week are in about very good condition, one has no visible wear marks like it was never in a rifle! The other has some finish wear. The parkerizing has the same greenish tint, but it is very thin or faint. Could this be from exposure to fire?

 

[warbird]

The parkerizing has the same greenish tint, but it is very thin or faint. Could this be from exposure to fire?

From cosmoline. :mrgreen:

 

[Tommo]

Thank you very much for the information.

 

[Moose]

What if anything can be done to improve/ restore finish quality of such parts condition , short of reparkerizing ? - Moose

 

[Tommo]

I tried using Oxpho Cold Blue from Brownells, it darkens them, but there are some spots darker than the rest of the part. Reparkerizing is probably the best method for refinishing.

 

[Moose]

Any suggestions on who to send parts to for reparkerizing ? Are there drawbacks to reparkerizing compared to building with origenal but good finish? -Moose

 

[darkest2000]

no drawback, just makes your part look better.

 

[warbird]

Any suggestions on who to send parts to for reparkerizing ? Are there drawbacks to reparkerizing compared to building with origenal but good finish? -Moose

They just look like new when refinished, that's all. :wink: