Parkerizing

[zteknik]

No doubt about it jim,the prep work is the most important.If your gonna do shortcuts dont do it on the prep work.
Its like when I learned bodywork.Any slight bit of oil will mess the whole thing up.

Degrease THOROUGHLY!! And dont touch it with your bare hands. I alo learned you have to degrease the stuff you are going to use as well-tanks,tools even the steel wool.

[CrufflerSteve]

I'll second that. Grease is the enemy. It's especially sneaky on the front and back of the gas tube and all my rivets. I am very generous with penetrant first and then cutting oil when doing holes so there is a lot of grease there. The gas tubes have old cosmoline.

I used purple Zep for initial scrubbing and then brake cleaner. I also discovered by accident that it is a great idea to blast a few days before the park. If the parts are left dusty, it pulls the grease out. I have a pack of disposable gloves so I never touch the metal once I'm done with the water degreasing. I also keep spray brake cleaner around so I can clean any tools I'll use.

Steve

[zteknik]

Yes thats a great idea Steve.I usualy let the parts sit for a couple of days after blasting as well.Although I try to degrease a bit before blasting-keeps the material clean'
I haven't tried Zep,we have whats called HotShot at work and it's probably the same thing just a different brand.

Usualy for my first degrease i boil the parts in hot soapy water for a bit and go on from there.Ive had to do Yugo parts a couple of times-I think they mix concrete in with their cosmoline.