Ontario Zinc-Phosphate coating

[tabeeb762]

This stuff is driving me nuts. I have a 12" machete and the Pilots knife from Ontario. I can't seem to get rid of the damn coating.

I've tried all kinds of chemical strippers. Not a dent. It seems to be bonded to the steel itself and not just paint like epoxy.

I've already given both blades a high convex so leaving them in the current state isn't an option. My original plan was to strip, polish, and blue.

At this point I'm willing to give in and recoat the blades, but basically I know nothing about the stuff.
Don't know if I can actually buy it commercially, or how to apply it.
Don't know if it has to be baked on or just air-dried.

Any ideas?

 

[Christian]

Try having them bead blasted. It'll mean a little more work polishing them, but it should get rid of the coating on them. Remember to tape your edges first, though. It'll save you from having to resharpen them.

 

[cramsey3006]

That parkerizing is designed to take a beating and not think about it. The process is a chemical reaction between the metal and the finish and once it's done, I think the only way to remove it is mechanically, by sanding, blasting, etc. It's purpose is to retain oil and protect the metal under the most harsh conditions. Look at the old weapons and such from WWI, WWII, etc. Unless they've been refinished, they still retain the old finish, regardless of how worn it is.

Look at Brownells or Midway USA, they may have home parkerizing kits you can buy. Probably be easier and cheaper just to send them out and have it re-done though.