Removing Varnish

Death from Afar · August 6, 2015, 03:00 PM

Hey guys- about to pick up a nice DWM 1914 Luger ( all matching save the magazine- there is a shock), regimental stamp, nice). At some stage of the past 100 years someone varnished the grips, which match. Aside from that the pistol is a good example. Is it worth trying to get the varnish off, or simply not take the risk of damaging them and get a replacement set? They look pretty horrible.

lamarw · August 6, 2015, 03:57 PM

It does not sound like you have much to loose. I would try denatured alcohol with 0000 steel wool followed by paper towels or cloth with denatured alcohol.

Old Stony · August 6, 2015, 04:09 PM

I've had good luck with those kind of projects using Fornby's finish remover and a soft stainless brush. Haven't done any damage to any wood yet....

mapsjanhere · August 6, 2015, 05:44 PM

High grade 91% rubbing alcohol and soft nylon brush for starters. If that doesn't cut it, some methylene chloride/NMP paint stripper.

Doyle · August 6, 2015, 08:01 PM

Citri-strip is very mild. I've removed several stock finishes with it. I use a toothbrush to get into the checkering.

wogpotter · August 7, 2015, 09:39 AM

Quote:

High grade 91% rubbing alcohol and soft nylon brush for starters.

Worked for me flawlessly.
It will dry the wood 100%though, be prepared to re oil.

jdscholer · August 8, 2015, 08:05 PM

I'm another vote for Citri-Strip. I've been lovin the stuff. Depending on the finish, you can brush it on, let it dry, and brush off the white powder. Easy on the wood, easy on the senses. jd

dakota.potts · August 10, 2015, 10:27 PM

I stripped the shellac from my Mosin with a couple applications of denatured alcohol and paper towels. I had sand paper and steel wool ready, but the alcohol ended up taking care of it with none of that necessary

Huffmanite · August 11, 2015, 05:33 AM

Old Stony's suggestion of Formbys Finish Remover is a good one, except he may be thinking of Formby's Finish Restorer product. The Restorer will dissolve/soften old varnish that you can wipe off with steel wool, cloth and etc. It will lighten the blackened old varnish and depending on how much you work the solution, how much of the original varnish will be left on the wood. I've used it in the past on very old furniture with very good results. Generally, you can leave enough of the original varnish on the wood without needing to apply fresh varnish, because the formbys has cleaned the blackened varnish and literally restored it to back what it basically looked like when new.

Death from Afar · August 12, 2015, 05:04 PM

Good suggestions, thanks boys. Didn't go ahead with the Luger, when I took the side plate off the "all matching gun" ...wasn't.

August 6, 2015, 03:00 PM	#1
Death from Afar Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2004 Location: Living the dream in Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND Posts: 1,635	Removing Varnish Hey guys- about to pick up a nice DWM 1914 Luger ( all matching save the magazine- there is a shock), regimental stamp, nice). At some stage of the past 100 years someone varnished the grips, which match. Aside from that the pistol is a good example. Is it worth trying to get the varnish off, or simply not take the risk of damaging them and get a replacement set? They look pretty horrible. __________________ "Beware of the Man with one gun...he probably isnt into guns enough to be safe with it".

August 6, 2015, 05:44 PM	#4
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	High grade 91% rubbing alcohol and soft nylon brush for starters. If that doesn't cut it, some methylene chloride/NMP paint stripper. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

August 8, 2015, 08:05 PM	#7
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	I'm another vote for Citri-Strip. I've been lovin the stuff. Depending on the finish, you can brush it on, let it dry, and brush off the white powder. Easy on the wood, easy on the senses. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

August 10, 2015, 10:27 PM	#8
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	I stripped the shellac from my Mosin with a couple applications of denatured alcohol and paper towels. I had sand paper and steel wool ready, but the alcohol ended up taking care of it with none of that necessary __________________ Certified Gunsmith (On Hiatus) Certified Armorer - H&K and Glock Among Others You can find my writings at my website, pottsprecision.com.

August 12, 2015, 05:04 PM	#10
Death from Afar Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2004 Location: Living the dream in Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND Posts: 1,635	Good suggestions, thanks boys. Didn't go ahead with the Luger, when I took the side plate off the "all matching gun" ...wasn't. __________________ "Beware of the Man with one gun...he probably isnt into guns enough to be safe with it".

August 6, 2015, 03:57 PM	#2
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	It does not sound like you have much to loose. I would try denatured alcohol with 0000 steel wool followed by paper towels or cloth with denatured alcohol.

August 6, 2015, 04:09 PM	#3
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	I've had good luck with those kind of projects using Fornby's finish remover and a soft stainless brush. Haven't done any damage to any wood yet....

August 6, 2015, 08:01 PM	#5
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Citri-strip is very mild. I've removed several stock finishes with it. I use a toothbrush to get into the checkering.

August 11, 2015, 05:33 AM	#9
Huffmanite Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2006 Location: Northeast of Houston, Tx Posts: 393	Old Stony's suggestion of Formbys Finish Remover is a good one, except he may be thinking of Formby's Finish Restorer product. The Restorer will dissolve/soften old varnish that you can wipe off with steel wool, cloth and etc. It will lighten the blackened old varnish and depending on how much you work the solution, how much of the original varnish will be left on the wood. I've used it in the past on very old furniture with very good results. Generally, you can leave enough of the original varnish on the wood without needing to apply fresh varnish, because the formbys has cleaned the blackened varnish and literally restored it to back what it basically looked like when new.