How are you restoring hardware, springs, hinges etc

[bubbasimms]

I have been looking at home parkerizing or at home zinc phosphate type coatings for restoring hardware, clips, hood hinges etc.....all the parts that need protecting but I don't want to paint.

There are a lot of misc parts that I would rather not paint, i don't think they look or last very good painted. I am also not terribly interested in shipping everything off to be plated or re finished.

Any opinions or suggestions? What does everyone do with these parts?