Refinishing a stock

[topclass2017]

I have been asked to refinish a shotgun stock, taking it from a factory lacquer/varnish high gloss finish (albeit with chips, dents, and other marks) to an oil rubbed satin finish. I've done oil finishes before but never starting from a hi-gloss finish.

My question is, what is the best way to remove the existing finish to get to the base wood? I know there will be a significant amount of slow and steady elbow grease involved, but I'm looking for a way (chemical?) to start the process.

 

[p-man]

Don't strip it halfway. Jasco costs more but is worth it. Buy some cheap but FIRM bristle toothbrushes to clean out all the checkering and any dings or scratches.

 

[jepp2]

My question is, what is the best way to remove the existing finish to get to the base wood?

I start with the easiest and work to the stronger. The most difficult I have stripped so far was off my Anschutz 1717D HB. On that one many days of Citristrip wrapped in plastic failed to remove the finish from some areas and I had to resort to scraping (which I had never done before).
1. try either acetone or lacquer thinner (appropriate chemical precautions apply)
2. try 1 and put a cotton sock over the butt stock and wrap it in aluminum foil for at least a day
3. move on to Citristrip. It will dry fairly quickly and become less effective, so generously coat it and wrap it in plastic wrap to keep it from drying out. Remove and repeat as necessary.

 

[joshb]

Try denatured alcohol first. If it’s an old lacquer finish, it will take it off.

 

[snert]

Not sure on what to use as a stripper, but I am now an avowed fan of Arrowood oil finish, having done two stocks recently. GREAT stuff, fun to work with, just be patient.

 

[deep south]

Easy off oven cleaner.not the fumeless version
Strips stain out of wood and finish.
Brush with soft brush after applying and spray off with hose pipe.can take a few applications.but will remove all stain and finish...
Probably no one on here has heard if this old school technique but it works beautiful.
Let stock dry a few weeks before sanding and applying new stain and sealant.


I tried posting pic of horrible old Enfield I refinished but to much trouble for posting pic..its a piece of art now

An option not many people know about and maybe not best option for your situation?idk

 

[jxb]

I can't help with removal info, but I will say I've used the sealer and stain products from this place when I needed to do some barrel channel work which required at least sealing the wood again and couldn't have been happier.

Laurel Mountain Forge

Official page for Laurel Mountain Forge with product descriptions, instruction sheets, and contact information if you still have questions.

laurelmountainforge.com

 

[Preacher]

The best way to remove that type of finish is with a old hacksaw blade with the back edge sharpened and rolled.
Peels the finish off like peeling a orange..
A sharp knife will do the same in smaller areas.......

 

[hoz53]

Easy off oven cleaner.not the fumeless version
Strips stain out of wood and finish.
Brush with soft brush after applying and spray off with hose pipe.can take a few applications.but will remove all stain and finish...
Probably no one on here has heard if this old school technique but it works beautiful.
Let stock dry a few weeks before sanding and applying new stain and sealant.


I tried posting pic of horrible old Enfield I refinished but to much trouble for posting pic..its a piece of art now

An option not many people know about and maybe not best option for your situation?idk

Easy Off works for alot of things. I always have a can around. Just dont breathe it or it will work on your lungs to.

 

[Twdmar]

The best way to remove that type of finish is with a old hacksaw blade with the back edge sharpened and rolled.
Peels the finish off like peeling a orange..
A sharp knife will do the same in smaller areas.......

Scraping is the best idea to start with. I would lean toward a cabinet scraper though.
Strippers make big messes and when that stuff gets in the grain, it's hard to get out.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I like your profile picture. Lol

 

[Tesoro]

Like to add it is a many day process. Citristrip smells the best. Plastic paint scrapers and old toothbrushes for the checkering. Plan on washing the goo off the stock a few times with a brush and letting it dry in between applications so you can see what needs further attention. Washing and drying will raise alot of dents. Some put in dishwasher for final treatment but you can also use an iron and wet rag.

Some of these 80's finishes on quality rifles are like bowling pin finishes.

The checkering is the bitch because it is hard to get all the old urethane out so the re-stain wont take well. I have used an optivisor and various tools and blades to trace the grooves and scrape out the gunk. As the grain is open on some of the cuts it will have soaked up finish and turned into a sealer that you cant entirely remove. This is a problem as any stain wont take in those spots and the old remaining finish can appear splotchy. This happened to me on the old sako stock in the pics. I wound up using an ebony stain on the checkering and it came out passable and camouflaged.

 

[topclass2017]

Like to add it is a many day process. Citristrip smells the best. Plastic paint scrapers and old toothbrushes for the checkering. Plan on washing the goo off the stock a few times with a brush and letting it dry in between applications so you can see what needs further attention. Washing and drying will raise alot of dents. Some put in dishwasher for final treatment but you can also use an iron and wet rag.

Some of these 80's finishes on quality rifles are like bowling pin finishes.

The checkering is the bitch because it is hard to get all the old urethane out so the re-stain wont take well. I have used an optivisor and various tools and blades to trace the grooves and scrape out the gunk. As the grain is open on some of the cuts it will have soaked up finish and turned into a sealer that you cant entirely remove. This is a problem as any stain wont take in those spots and the old remaining finish can appear splotchy. This happened to me on the old sako stock in the pics. I wound up using an ebony stain on the checkering and it came out passable and camouflaged.



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great idea on the ebony stain. Thank you!

 

[Tesoro]

great idea on the ebony stain. Thank you!

I cut the ebony with walnut type stain. Can always darken but not lighten!

 

[topclass2017]

I cut the ebony with walnut type stain. Can always darken but not lighten!

good point...