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11/13/2006 6:44:36 PM EDT
I've had this WASR sitting in the safe and decided to that I would like to use it as a guinea pig. Lat year, I tried a high temp paint finish, baked on. It worked, and held up well to range use.

The rear sight base had always been crooked, so I decided to straighten it out, which involved some heat on the paint, which did manage to take the paint up. No big deal, but I decided I would like to try something new.

So, tried my hand at some back yard Parkerizing. I used the "ghetto" method of steel wool and an off the shelf metal prep for my Phosphoric acid.

I still need to get my hands on a bigger tank for the barrel and receiver, but was able to do the receiver cover this evening and tried on the selector first.

Most of what I could find on the subject said 20 minutes in the bath, but I found that if I leave the part in 30, I get a darker finish.

Either way, here is before and after...





I'm happy with it for something done in the back yard with material bought at Lowes.
11/14/2006 4:31:34 AM EDT
[#1]
What did you use for a tank? Usually the good, long stainless tanks are the pricy part (but welding your own stainless is not for rookies).
11/14/2006 8:34:24 AM EDT
[#2]
I used a mud tub from Lowes. They sell it with the drywall mud supplies. It is about 16" long or so, and is stainless. Big enough for most small parts, but far from enough to do the receiver and barrel. I cooked it over my double side burner on my patio grill. Couple things I found...

Dont add the steel wool until the water is at temp. It takes a lot of the heat out of the water if done too soon.

Mkae usre you have some oil to put on when it comes out. Grabbed for the WD40 to squirt it , and the can was empty. Had to open a quart of Mobil 1. Expensive protectant...
11/14/2006 4:47:44 PM EDT
[#3]
You can get professional park results at home with the kit from shooter's solutions. I like the HD Manganese version.
11/14/2006 5:12:24 PM EDT
[#4]

Quoted:
I used a mud tub from Lowes. They sell it with the drywall mud supplies. It is about 16" long or so, and is stainless. Big enough for most small parts, but far from enough to do the receiver and barrel.


What about buying two, cutting off an end on each, and have someone who welds stainless butt weld them together?
11/14/2006 5:21:43 PM EDT
[#5]
I was looking at the shooters solution, but wanted to try this at home with stuff around the house.

I hve a large sheet of stainless, and just happen to have a friend that welds and can do stainless. I was hoping to avoid cutting that sheet, but it's other plans may have to wait.


Now I have an issue. The selector will not take the park. It changed color to a medium grey color, but did not get the matte finish nor the black from the manganese dioxide. I guess the metal has something in it that makes it a no-go. Anyone know what themetal is in a selector?

I tried it one more time and of course it was too much, and now I have a hole in the detent on the selector

Thanks, Kirt
11/14/2006 6:00:25 PM EDT
[#6]
Speaking of Shooters Solution, John the owner, his son died in what I believe was an auto accident just over a week ago. Read this on another forum.

Best wishes for his family.
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