Parkerizing is one of the most durable finishes you can have. Hence, all of the milary applications over time. The key is: it must be kept oiled. Do not let it get dry. Maintained properly, there's hardly any scuffing that can't get unscuffed.
How to Protect the Parkerized Finish on the RIA 1911
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When I got this gun ~15 months ago, I cleaned it and then I heated the frame a bit. It was probably Parkerized in the 90s when most of these were imported, and then not maintained since. Slathered on oil and left it overnight. Here it is wet with oil and under harsh light:
![Cameras & optics Gas Film camera Trigger Machine]()
The oil basically dried into and on it and there was nothing really to clean off the next day. Looks great now:
![Rectangle Handwriting Font Material property Hunting knife]()
The oil basically dried into and on it and there was nothing really to clean off the next day. Looks great now:
Already answered, no effect on bluing. But for the record I think I used Mobil 1 10w30 HM. I glean the used jugs into a plastic bottle after oil changes. Only gun oil I've used for 10 or 12 years at least. I felt vindicated this past spring when I was at a CMP event and one of the Army AMU guys did an impromptu side clinic on how to obsessively maintain your AR and he recommended... Mobil 1!
(not that it's inherently better than another good synthetic motor oil, just what seemed to be the most used motor oil of that type)Doing this does a lot to add protection to the finish and also make it more durable, it is not purely cosmetic - but it sure does help the appearance.
Here's another before/after pic. The PO got this '44 RR in 1968 and sold it to me in the past year. Here's his sale pic:
This is after I degreased it completely, cleaned it, heated it and then oiled it and let it sit:
My RIA is deserving of and worth every bit what I paid for the rattle can of BBQ grill paint should I ever need to do any touch ups...
Heh heh. Some PBA championships were won with balls off that machine, I understand.
That’s actually my dad’s or maybe more properly his friend’s. My dad got into bowling a few years back. Being technical, he got into drilling and made friends with the guy at the lanes. He had retired from the Navy and airlines, and started drilling balls at a major bowling center nearby as a hobby. He is quite good. His wife wouldn’t let him keep it at home when she forced him to quit that job.
My dad agreed to house the machine and he balls for people now as a hobby. Some PBA championship balls were drilled on that machine over the years; my dad’s friend drilled and fit for some big names.
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