I have a Ported XD 9mm and have only been to the range twice with 200 rounds total through it. I've cleaned it thouroughly after each use since the port results in a lot of debris and smoke covering the front site (standard white dot). It's very difficult to see the front sight after ~ 60 rounds and it is hard to get the site clean (Qtips and solvent still not doing the full job). I've used "Nitro Solvent" (bought from Walmart) to clean it.

I was wondering if anyone thinks it is normal for the finish to look a grayish color after cleaning it, but then looks good after oiling it? Is that a PROBLEM or NORMAL?  Is the nitro solvent too powerful? It doesnt seem to need painting at all, I'm just worried about it at this point and for the long term. I want to clean it thouroughly, but not kill the finish in the process. Also the front sight is not white anymore, so I don't know what to do, even if I bought new sights.  Any suggestions?

Yes, a parkerized finish is a matte grey after you use a solvent since it removes all the oil that was in the pores of the finish, which makes it look darker.  Just lightly re-oil the finish and it will be fine.  I would use CLP or Aerosol Rem-Oil to clean as well, and then follow with a good gun oil or grease on the slide rails and other areas to re-lube.

The white painted dots on the springfield XD sights are easy to remove with some solvents, I suspect the solvent has removed some of your paint.  Only way to eliminate this is to have night sights installed, but still yet, you don't want to bathe them in solvent unless necessary.

Thanks- I appreciate the information.  I guess I shouldn't use the solvent unless it is really necessary.  I've not heard of a "parkerized finish", but that sounds right.