Coating to prevent rusting

chuck17 · 04-03-2010, 02:59 PM

Is that a 1916? It looks pretty rough around the edges. How is the bore? I have seen some real rust-buckets with nice bores. Is that a bare metal finish, or was it chromed or nickeled?

There are a lot of options out there for refinishing that Luger. Is this something that is a family heirloom or just something that you want to be a shooter? If you want to preserve it for future generations, you might want to consider a professional restoration. If a shooter, I say try doing it yourself!

Since it is not a collectible, I don't see any reason to not refinish it. I have used the Brownells zinc phosphate and it works perfectly to Parkerize it, but it will be a soft gray in color. The look of the pitting will be softened by the Parkerized finish, but it will have a rough surface.

The zinc phosphate is also the perfect base for Gunkote, which would smooth the finish and protect it to an even greater extent. If you choose to spray on a finish over it, Gunkote has many colors to choose from. I have only used the flat black and it looks good to me, and it is very durable.

Alternatively, you might also try your hand at rust bluing, with some Pilkingtons rust blue formula available from Brownells. It is much more labor intensive, but will provide a very durable and rich blue-black finish. It will not hide the pitting as well as Parkerizing, though.

Good luck at whatever you decide!

gatornavy · 04-04-2010, 10:58 AM

Thanks for all info Chuck
Yes, it is a 1916 that Dad got June 13th, 1944 one week after his jump into France. I am basically involved in a family-father project to make sure gun is still in safe condition as a shooter. He will be 88 on May 25th and still keeps the luger as his primary HD. Will not have it any other way. This will be his birthday gift. It is now at the local gunsmith who will clean, check mechanically, and test fire. The gun still has same finish it had in 1944 which seems to be some type of clear/light gray that is about 50% worn off in areas that get the most use/handling. It has to be steel wooled and oiled to fight surface rust. We want to re-coat with something permanent that will leave the current appearance and still protect the surface. The Brownell Phosphate sounds like a good possibility and was seeking advice and opinions. Will not do the work myself but have found someone fairly closeby. Luger will always just be a family collectable. Again, appreciate all your comments and will post photos of before and after to all who have helped us.
Ron

04-03-2010, 02:59 PM	#1
chuck17 User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Fla Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Is that a 1916? It looks pretty rough around the edges. How is the bore? I have seen some real rust-buckets with nice bores. Is that a bare metal finish, or was it chromed or nickeled? There are a lot of options out there for refinishing that Luger. Is this something that is a family heirloom or just something that you want to be a shooter? If you want to preserve it for future generations, you might want to consider a professional restoration. If a shooter, I say try doing it yourself! Since it is not a collectible, I don't see any reason to not refinish it. I have used the Brownells zinc phosphate and it works perfectly to Parkerize it, but it will be a soft gray in color. The look of the pitting will be softened by the Parkerized finish, but it will have a rough surface. The zinc phosphate is also the perfect base for Gunkote, which would smooth the finish and protect it to an even greater extent. If you choose to spray on a finish over it, Gunkote has many colors to choose from. I have only used the flat black and it looks good to me, and it is very durable. Alternatively, you might also try your hand at rust bluing, with some Pilkingtons rust blue formula available from Brownells. It is much more labor intensive, but will provide a very durable and rich blue-black finish. It will not hide the pitting as well as Parkerizing, though. Good luck at whatever you decide! Last edited by chuck17; 04-03-2010 at 03:01 PM. Reason: forgot to ask: is it a bare metal finish?

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04-04-2010, 10:58 AM	#2
gatornavy User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Carolina Posts: 23 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for all info Chuck Yes, it is a 1916 that Dad got June 13th, 1944 one week after his jump into France. I am basically involved in a family-father project to make sure gun is still in safe condition as a shooter. He will be 88 on May 25th and still keeps the luger as his primary HD. Will not have it any other way. This will be his birthday gift. It is now at the local gunsmith who will clean, check mechanically, and test fire. The gun still has same finish it had in 1944 which seems to be some type of clear/light gray that is about 50% worn off in areas that get the most use/handling. It has to be steel wooled and oiled to fight surface rust. We want to re-coat with something permanent that will leave the current appearance and still protect the surface. The Brownell Phosphate sounds like a good possibility and was seeking advice and opinions. Will not do the work myself but have found someone fairly closeby. Luger will always just be a family collectable. Again, appreciate all your comments and will post photos of before and after to all who have helped us. Ron