Coating/finishing many spacers and pawls.

[Scimonetti]

I have this coffee can full (60+) of anti kickback pawls and washers. The have clean finished wood slide under them at all times so they can't have a finish that will rub off. That being said it won't be used that often and will sit in an unheated garage.
They were previously black oxide but have rusted. The plan is to strip all the coating and rust off with vinegar before continuing. I would rather not have to paint each individual piece so an easy rub on blueing or dip solution is ideal.

Any thoughts? Gun blueing kits or some dip solution? Also after stripping the parts with mild acid or vinegar how do I treat(passivate?) them to keep the immediate rust from the acid off.

I've never done a batch like this before and have to do it differently without scrubbing of wheeling!

 

[gungatim]

you could try home parkerizing. I haven't done it but there are some good writeups if you google. it doesn't seem all that difficult, I just haven't gotten around to trying it.

other suggestion is to bake on motor oil. soak them in oil, put em in your grill and bake on a coating. cool, repeat 3 times...makes a nice finish

 

[404]

Why not wire wheel them? That rust has to go, so either the wheel or the de rusting tank.

There are online formulas for blackening with stuff you find at the hardware store.

 

[PBCampbell]

I'm not too sure Bluing or Parkerizing is going to hold up to friction. Those finishes are usually dependant on oiling to keep rust at bay as well. Japaning might be a good idea but will take some time.

 

[404]

http://www.caswellplating.com/
has lots of supplies, depending if you want to spend money.

This could be an excuse to build a glass bead blasting cabinet to save the labor of wire wheeling.

The original black is not a very durable finish (as you can see) and also depends on oil to prevent rust.

The home made is from lye and stump remover from lowes.. has some nitrite/nitrate in it.