Paint Removal Question

[Dave Rabin]

I bought a used rifle with a wood stock that the prior owner painted; I now want to remove the paint.

What paint remover would you recommend? I would like to use something that will remove the paint but not damage the stock. Thank you.

Dave Rabin

[Colliers_custom]

you can use a sand blaster to get a good bit of it off then finish by sanding it. just be careful not to erode the wood. there is also stuff called aircraft stripier that work's great on metal parts but i have never used it on wood. our carquest carries it but i would test it on something other than your stock first cause it's kinda mean

Jake

[Bill Wynne]

I bought a used rifle with a wood stock that the prior owner painted; I now want to remove the paint.

What paint remover would you recommend? I would like to use something that will remove the paint but not damage the stock. Thank you.

Dave Rabin

Dave, I would use sand paper and steel wool and elbow grease. A couple of hours ought to clean it up with no harm done.

Concho Bill

[Gerry]

I used Citri strip paint remover.
It is non toxic and easy to use (just brush it on , let it soak and rinse off.
I also used it on a oil soaked stock and it took almost all of that deep
oil out of the stock,

[Joe Pellegrene]

Try going to your local home improvement store and taking a look at the different strippers they have for sale. Read the labels and look for ones that have a Methylene Chloride and Methanol mix. If you find several with this mixture buy the heaviest container regardless of the price or brand name. The heavier container will have the highest percentage of Methylene Chloride and will do the best job. Give that a try and if it doesn't do the job you can find a stronger stripper at the auto body supply shops or where they sell boating products. Look for a Methylene Chloride stripper that has alkali added to it. That will remove about anything, but may also darken you wood depending on what it is.

[Joe Pellegrene]

I used Citri strip paint remover.
It is non toxic and easy to use (just brush it on , let it soak and rinse off.
I also used it on a oil soaked stock and it took almost all of that deep
oil out of the stock,

I was told that Citri strip was actually meant to be a hand cleaner when it was first being developed. It was spilled on a table top one evening and when they came back the next day it had removed the finish on the table top and was then marketed as a wood stripper. It's a very mild stripper, but it is a far safer than playing with Methylene Chloride which is a proven carcinogenic.

[mwezell]

If it's a cheapo Krylon type of paint on it, a can of brake cleaner and some steel wool and brush will get it off. --Miike

[papapaul]

Whatever media you use , use steel wool to remove it. The steel wool allows the stripper to escape. You can start off easy by using Go-Jo and steel wool. Very mild and it might do the job. If that doesn't work go to a commercial product.

[OldPPC]

I use Easy Strip, available at home centers all over the country.

[langenc]

If no checkering just use sand paper. Since you will have to refinish anyway, sanding will be required, so go to it.

[glynn angle]

I owned a furniture refinishing business for 20 years. Depends on the kind of paint. Buy a thicker (heavier stripper) , brush it on with a chip (cheap) brush & let it set a few minutes until it bubbles up. Whip off what you can with a rough rag. If some paint is left, repeat with the stripper. Then clean with scotchbrite or fine steel wool dipped in lacquer thinner. Continue this until clean,using bounty paper towels & lacquer thinner for the final cleaning. The lacquer thinner helps to clean & also neutralizes the stripper. When using the steel wool, always work with the grain to minimize scratching the wood. When finished & dry. Sand carefully & finish. (another story) Good luck, Glynn P.S. Work in fresh air.