Painted K31 stock - is there hope?

[RexDart]

I picked up a K31 at a gun show. The action and barrel are in pristine condition, and have obviously been well maintained.

However....

Some previous owner PAINTED the stock. Removed the wood from the action, zip tied it together (I can see the bands where the zip ties masked the paint, nice wood underneath), and sprayed on a cheesy camo finish.

I'd really like to restore the wood, as it is serialized to the rifle, and all the cartouches are there AFAIK. How to gently remove the paint, and what to do with the finish beneath? I'm assuming some sort of chemical remover, but which one?

 

[dfaugh]

I've used Strip-Eze(avialable at any HW store), on gunstocks and furniture for many years. Never had it damage wood in any way. It will attack SOME glues, but mostly just on the surface.

 

[El Barto]

I second the strip-eze. Just treat it as you would any acid and you will do ok. If you have any exposed skin that comes in contact with the stuff you’ll be the first to know. Also, if you go for the aerosol kind of stripper, be aware of your surroundings. The overspray will do a job on any paint that it comes in contact with. As far as the original finish, you should just consider it toast. There are plenty of options that don’t require sanding and will look like original. Check out www.swissrifles.com for tips.

 

[GeorgeR]

Stock Stripper

Here's more free advice! I have had great luck with Citri Strip from Home Depot. Smells OK and cleans up easy.

 

[Jackal]

I always just use Easy-Off oven cleaner.

 

[Cosmoline]

You could also just use the sandpaper to remove all of it, then refinish the wood underneath.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Oven cleaner? On paint? I think it would attack the wood more than the paint.

I'll second the vote for Citri-Strip, orange stuff, works pretty good.

There may be some pigment that got into the wood, so may need to be masked with a darker stain.

 

[RexDart]

Thanks for all the input. I plan to try the Citristrip first and escalate as needed. Before and after pictures posted in due course.

 

[ewb45acp]

Yep, Oven cleaner.

I've been hearing about that trick for many years. Supposed to real good for cleaning up greasy, filthy, cosmoline soaked stocks. I've never heard that it'll remove paint though.

 

[Wiley]

There is also some stuff called 'Removeall' (not sure of spelling) that will take paint off with little fuss and no harm to the wood. Comes in spray cans or buckets.

 

[Limeyfellow]

Oven cleaner won't take off the paint. Just use a good paint stripper to take it off, a little mild sanding and then refinish. with the likes of Boiled Linseed Oil.