Culver's M1 Carbine Forum

[Hooks]

Good discussion going on concerning parkerize finish color on the "other" forum. Hope I am not in violation of rules here.

Information

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[painter777]

Billy,
Where does the green color come from?
A long drawn out battle.
Thoughts of old cosmo turning parts green just doesn't fly. It doesn't explain why parts just opened from years in storage don't have the green tint.
M or Z type Phosphate finishes are a chemical reaction the end result being a rust preventative surface oxidized to clean raw steel. Still used today as a raw metal sealer for primer and paints to be applied over.

I believe the use of Zinc Chromate Green in a liquid form was used as the after park rinse.
This system was already in use by the DOD on aircraft.

Here's some more info about it,

Everything You Need To Know About Zinc Chromate

After reading this, you could see how playing with the tint would explain the numbers of colors we see on the carbines of today.

Just my thoughts,

Charlie-painter777

[Hooks]

Billy,
Where does the green color come from?
A long drawn out battle.
Thoughts of old cosmo turning parts green just doesn't fly. It doesn't explain why parts just opened from years in storage don't have the green tint.
M or Z type Phosphate finishes are a chemical reaction the end result being a rust preventative surface oxidized to clean raw steel. Still used today as a raw metal sealer for primer and paints to be applied over.

I believe the use of Zinc Chromate Green in a liquid form was used as the after park rinse.
This system was already in use by the DOD on aircraft.

Here's some more info about it,

Everything You Need To Know About Zinc Chromate

After reading this, you could see how playing with the tint would explain the numbers of colors we see on the carbines of today.

Just my thoughts,

Charlie-painter777

Charlie, I was trying to learn something when it became a little difficult when there is a difference of opinions among those posting on the topic. Your input is greatly appreciated and helps me to decide what to believe. I am happy not have any rust on mine. The other colors seem to change depending on light exposure. I will have to admit my Rock-Ola and one of the Winchesters seem to have a greenest tint. Also, I think you know I had Dean re-park one of mine and it has a dark grey finish.

[browningautorifle]

Without the jargon of chemicals, we were able to use Oxinate 84 from Brownells to obtain grey. Just a new clean solution was all that we needed. To get it pure black we added fine steel wool to the tank. Sometimes railway spikes too. I still don't see any of the weapons in that thread I would call green.

[Tired Retired]

I got a stupid question.....

Why don't someone just mix a few batches of different park up using different chemicals and actually TRY to duplicated it instead of talking about it so much. With all the debate over all milsurp collectors (not just carbine) I am surprised that someone with some spare time, energy (and cash) hasn't dubplicated it before now. If they can not duplicate it, each try serves as to eliminate a possible source of the green....

Sorry, had a common sense moment in the middle of my all my insanity. I promise it won't happen again....

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Those two guys really went after each other on the subject.

Good thing they weren't in the same room.

[Tired Retired]

Good thing they weren't in the same room.

Jim, I am also glad that they don't have access to alot of firearms.....





Sorry, that was too good of a set-up line....

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I kind of think there's more than one reason for the 'green' tint, but it sure isn't worth arguing like that about it.

Here's an example for the subject:
This receiver had been in storage for a very long time.
I cleaned it with denatured alcohol and much of the green wiped off. (?)

[Tired Retired]

I think that the DNA may have dried out the metal when it evaporated???? I am curious if it looks green again when you coat it with oil??? Do you recall if there was something on the cloth? If there was, that is the stuff that should be analyzed for content.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Ed,
No, the green tint didn't really return after it was oiled (To my eyes)
and yes, there was residue on the cloth and Q-tips. I think this was just a build-up of old cosmoline. It was kind of like a varnish.

The parked area below was covered with the same dark greenish color before cleaning and oiling.




This is before cleaning the parked area -