Removing No.4Mk1 black paint

TwoGuns · January 2, 2001, 03:24 PM

I just picked up an Enfield No.4 Mk 1, and the paint on the reciever is all scratched to heck. What's a good easy way to take this paint off? It seems like there's about 10 thick layers, so I'm thinking of soaking it in something?

beemerb · January 2, 2001, 10:56 PM

How about just paint remover from the hardware store?

Snakeshot · January 3, 2001, 12:49 PM

Chem-Dip parts cleaner from the auto parts store comes in a 1-gallon can with a stainless steel basket. It will dissolve anything that ain't metal. The stuff is pure evil, I love it.

Noban · January 3, 2001, 05:47 PM

I stripped the paint off a No.4 Mk1 last year. Once you have the barreled receiver separated from the stock, liberally coat the painted areas with standard paint stripper (I use Jasco brand). After soaking for about 15 minutes, you'll be able to remove the bulk of the paint with a toothbrush. For the stubborn areas, 0000 steel wool does the job. You may have to repeat this process more than once, especially in hard to reach places. When finished, clean the metal with acetone to remove all traces of stripper. If you wish to paint the metal to match the original appearance, use Rust Oleum Satin Black (stock #7777). Spray on two light coats, waiting 15 minutes between each. Then add one heavier coat. Once dry to the touch, bake in an oven for 2 hours at 250 degrees. It will look GREAT and mine has held up real well to all cleaning solvents. BTW, all of the metal on the rifle (stock tips, swivels, screws. etc.) look real nice painted the same black.

Good luck

Noban

[Edited by Noban on 01-03-2001 at 07:40 PM]

M1911 · January 4, 2001, 12:29 PM

Noban:

Where'd you get an oven large enough to hold a barreled receiver?

M1911

Noban · January 4, 2001, 01:23 PM

M1911 - I have a very large oven, but what I still have to do is adjust the oven rack up as high as it can get it and place the receiver to the rear of the oven. The oven door has to stay open about three inches with the last 2-3 inches of barrel sticking out. To keep as much heat in the oven as possible, I stuff the crack with a bunch of old oven mitts. It's only 250 degrees so I don't worry much about fire potential, although I'm never more than a room away. After two hours, I turn that action around and bake the muzzle end.

Noban

January 2, 2001, 03:24 PM	#1
TwoGuns Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2000 Location: Sierra Madre, CA Posts: 173	I just picked up an Enfield No.4 Mk 1, and the paint on the reciever is all scratched to heck. What's a good easy way to take this paint off? It seems like there's about 10 thick layers, so I'm thinking of soaking it in something?

January 2, 2001, 10:56 PM	#2
beemerb Junior member Join Date: October 2, 1999 Location: AZ Posts: 1,759	How about just paint remover from the hardware store?

January 3, 2001, 12:49 PM	#3
Snakeshot Member Join Date: May 23, 2000 Location: GA, USA Posts: 43	Chem-Dip parts cleaner from the auto parts store comes in a 1-gallon can with a stainless steel basket. It will dissolve anything that ain't metal. The stuff is pure evil, I love it.

January 3, 2001, 05:47 PM	#4
Noban Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 1999 Posts: 662	I stripped the paint off a No.4 Mk1 last year. Once you have the barreled receiver separated from the stock, liberally coat the painted areas with standard paint stripper (I use Jasco brand). After soaking for about 15 minutes, you'll be able to remove the bulk of the paint with a toothbrush. For the stubborn areas, 0000 steel wool does the job. You may have to repeat this process more than once, especially in hard to reach places. When finished, clean the metal with acetone to remove all traces of stripper. If you wish to paint the metal to match the original appearance, use Rust Oleum Satin Black (stock #7777). Spray on two light coats, waiting 15 minutes between each. Then add one heavier coat. Once dry to the touch, bake in an oven for 2 hours at 250 degrees. It will look GREAT and mine has held up real well to all cleaning solvents. BTW, all of the metal on the rifle (stock tips, swivels, screws. etc.) look real nice painted the same black. Good luck Noban [Edited by Noban on 01-03-2001 at 07:40 PM]

January 4, 2001, 12:29 PM	#5
M1911 Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2000 Posts: 4,055	Noban: Where'd you get an oven large enough to hold a barreled receiver? M1911

January 4, 2001, 01:23 PM	#6
Noban Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 1999 Posts: 662	M1911 - I have a very large oven, but what I still have to do is adjust the oven rack up as high as it can get it and place the receiver to the rear of the oven. The oven door has to stay open about three inches with the last 2-3 inches of barrel sticking out. To keep as much heat in the oven as possible, I stuff the crack with a bunch of old oven mitts. It's only 250 degrees so I don't worry much about fire potential, although I'm never more than a room away. After two hours, I turn that action around and bake the muzzle end. Noban