How can I remove the space age finish?

atlantis · November 6, 2010, 09:01 AM

This is on a Browning lever action stock. I want to remove the super tough finish, and put something mellow on it.

brickeyee · November 6, 2010, 10:40 AM

Paint remover with methylene chloride gets just about everything.

Some finishes take longer.

Do not use it indoors, and do not use it if you have ANY heart issues.

It metabolizes if you breath any fumes to carbon monoxide and ties up the blood so it cannot carry oxygen.

James K · November 6, 2010, 12:19 PM

Any paint and varnish stripper should work. But remove the stock from the gun first, and take off parts like a buttplate or grip cap since the stripper can also harm metal or plastic.

I don't know about that one, but at one time FN used a heavy plastic finish that looked good until it chipped or a corner came loose. Once started, it just peeled off like peeling a banana.

Jim

Scorch · November 6, 2010, 01:04 PM

CitriStrip will take it off. I do it all the time. You can find it at Home Depot, Lowes, and WalMart. And there is no need to use anything toxic.

zxcvbob · November 6, 2010, 01:21 PM

I have a Browning .22 with that plastic finish on it. Nice wood underneath but it looks fake because of the finish. I was wondering what a little polishing compound would do, followed by a coat of wax and a buff?

phydaux · November 6, 2010, 04:41 PM

Scorch, will CitriStrip take off something like Duracote?

I had a buddy who duracoated his Sig a matte black, then he decided he prefered the factory desert tan finish. Soaked the slide & frame in acetone for 4 days to get the Duracote off.

I was thinking I'd like to get myself a CZ-85, but I don't really like the factory polymer finish. Thought I might use my buddy's acetone trick and they try rebluing. But I really didn't want to leave a bucket full of acetone around the house for 4 days.

mete · November 6, 2010, 06:46 PM

My Browning had the typical shiney stock so I cut the shine with 600 grit paper and water.

oneoldsap · November 6, 2010, 07:41 PM

Permatex aerosol gasket remover will soften it up so that you can scrape it off with a razor blade . It takes several applications and scrapings but it comes right off , without raising the grain . One of the techs at Brownells put me onto it !

**44 AMP** · November 11, 2010, 08:17 PM

I always thought that finish and the gold trigger was part of the joy of owning a Browning!

As mentioned, lots of commerical paint/varnish removers will do the job, some better (easier) than others. Citristrip is the least hazardous, but boy can you get sick of the smell of oranges!

+1 on removing the wood, and removing everything from the wood before you start.

November 6, 2010, 09:01 AM	#1
atlantis Member Join Date: May 12, 2010 Posts: 61	How can I remove the space age finish? This is on a Browning lever action stock. I want to remove the super tough finish, and put something mellow on it.

November 6, 2010, 01:04 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	CitriStrip will take it off. I do it all the time. You can find it at Home Depot, Lowes, and WalMart. And there is no need to use anything toxic. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

November 6, 2010, 01:21 PM	#5
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	I have a Browning .22 with that plastic finish on it. Nice wood underneath but it looks fake because of the finish. I was wondering what a little polishing compound would do, followed by a coat of wax and a buff? __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

November 6, 2010, 06:46 PM	#7
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	My Browning had the typical shiney stock so I cut the shine with 600 grit paper and water. __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

November 11, 2010, 08:17 PM	#9
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,832	I always thought that finish and the gold trigger was part of the joy of owning a Browning! As mentioned, lots of commerical paint/varnish removers will do the job, some better (easier) than others. Citristrip is the least hazardous, but boy can you get sick of the smell of oranges! +1 on removing the wood, and removing everything from the wood before you start. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

November 6, 2010, 10:40 AM	#2
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	Paint remover with methylene chloride gets just about everything. Some finishes take longer. Do not use it indoors, and do not use it if you have ANY heart issues. It metabolizes if you breath any fumes to carbon monoxide and ties up the blood so it cannot carry oxygen.

November 6, 2010, 12:19 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Any paint and varnish stripper should work. But remove the stock from the gun first, and take off parts like a buttplate or grip cap since the stripper can also harm metal or plastic. I don't know about that one, but at one time FN used a heavy plastic finish that looked good until it chipped or a corner came loose. Once started, it just peeled off like peeling a banana. Jim

November 6, 2010, 04:41 PM	#6
phydaux Member Join Date: October 31, 2010 Posts: 65	Scorch, will CitriStrip take off something like Duracote? I had a buddy who duracoated his Sig a matte black, then he decided he prefered the factory desert tan finish. Soaked the slide & frame in acetone for 4 days to get the Duracote off. I was thinking I'd like to get myself a CZ-85, but I don't really like the factory polymer finish. Thought I might use my buddy's acetone trick and they try rebluing. But I really didn't want to leave a bucket full of acetone around the house for 4 days.

November 6, 2010, 07:41 PM	#8
oneoldsap Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Location: I live in the foot of the Green Mountains of Vermont Posts: 1,602	Permatex aerosol gasket remover will soften it up so that you can scrape it off with a razor blade . It takes several applications and scrapings but it comes right off , without raising the grain . One of the techs at Brownells put me onto it !