Removing Spray Paint from a Shotgun

Logs · October 27, 2020, 07:22 PM

Picked up a nice shotgun, but I was hoping to remove the former owners paint job. Not sure the type of paint, but I have tried Brake Cleaner, Nail Polish Remover, and Paint Thinner and it is not cutting it. Plastic stock so I don't want to goof it up too bad.

Any Ideas???????

As a backup plan and I just repaint it. Anyone recommend a good stencils or paint kit so it looks a little more professional?

Thanks Logs.

Very little coming off.

FITASC · October 27, 2020, 07:37 PM

I have seen folks use actual leaves placed on the stock and then fall colors used....

Dfariswheel · October 27, 2020, 08:51 PM

"MOST" (note the "most") plastic parts used on modern guns are pretty solvent resistant.
Most plastic stocks are a fiber reinforced nylon blend that lacquer thinner won't harm.

Much depends on what type of paint was used, but in all likelihood it's some sort of cheap spray can paint. Those are usually not very durable and are attacked by many solvents.

I'd recommend getting a can of ordinary lacquer thinner and take the gun OUTSIDE..... lacquer thinner is explosively flammable and any spark or pilot light can cause a WHOOMPH.

Test it on a hidden area of the stock to see if it attacks the paint, and if it attacks the stock.
If it begins to attack the paint but not the stock, just use it to remove all the paint, working on it with a stiff solvent proof brush to speed it up.
In most cases you'll find the lacquer thinner will remove the paint and not harm the stock.

If it does attack the plastic, hit a big paint store and ask for a paint remover that's plastic-safe.

wbbh · October 27, 2020, 09:27 PM

I bought a Browning BPS shotgun that was painted like that, I used Brake Cleaner, number 4 steel wool, old tooth brushes and a brass brush.

**44 AMP** · October 28, 2020, 01:04 AM

Try Zip-Strip or Citri-strip (non toxic though the strong orange smell gives me a headache the toxic fume ones never did...

)

Not sure if they will eat a plastic stock, or not, but they won't hurt the metal (or wood).

Logs · October 28, 2020, 08:22 AM

Just tried the Citri-Strip on barrel and after 15 min it is really starting to come off nicely. Will test the stock later today. Thank You.

10-96 · October 29, 2020, 09:09 PM

I know the cure has already been found, but it just occurred to me to try brake fluid one of these days- on purpose. I know it does a dandy job of taking paint off of my old CJ5's firewall, I just don't know how long it takes.

FITASC · October 29, 2020, 09:32 PM

It also works well for cleaning the inside of the barrels

Logs · October 30, 2020, 08:28 AM

I got most of the paint off. I can't get the paint out rough parts. Citri-Strip, Brake Cleaner, Rubbing Alcohol, Nail Polish Remover, and Dawn Soap have all been tried. I did strip off the paint on the trigger guard, but that is not a big deal for me. Barrel and Receiver look great.

AFTER Two days of work..............

My Before.................................

**Aguila Blanca** · October 30, 2020, 09:51 AM

I would say it looks 1000% better in the "after" photo.

CowTowner · October 30, 2020, 09:53 AM

^ I'd have to agree

T. O'Heir · October 30, 2020, 01:34 PM

"...Brake Cleaner, Rubbing Alcohol, Nail Polish Remover, and Dawn Soap..." Those products don't strip paint. They're mostly degreasers. The Citri-Strip should have done something though. I'd suggest E-Z Off but it'd likely eat plastic/synthetics. Takes carbon off steel PDQ though. Used it on FAL gas plugs years ago. Had them on a thickly painted wood railing and the paint was lifted in seconds.
"...paint on the trigger guard..." Trigger guard plastic or Al?
"...the paint out rough parts..." That being the 'pebbled' grip parts? Got a bench grinder? Try a light touch with a brass wire wheel. Same wheel in a rotary tool works.

Logs · October 30, 2020, 05:18 PM

Trigger is Aluminum

Yes, the stippled looking parts are still brown. I will try brass brush thanks for the tip.

FrankenMauser · October 31, 2020, 02:39 PM

The stippled/checkered areas can probably be cleaned with toothpicks and/or a dental scaler.
I've done it before. Tedious, but worth it if you don't want to repaint.

On wood stocks, it is more work. But on plastic fantastic, the paint usually isn't well adhered there; and prior use of stripper has probably compromised it further.

stagpanther · October 31, 2020, 04:24 PM

Is that a versamax? I worked on one recently and I thought it was pretty BU in the stock black/grey--I would be tempted to paint it too if I had one though maybe not the barrel. Can't say I blame the former owner.

langenc · November 5, 2020, 10:22 PM

My wife might recommend Goo be gone.. I dont believe it will harm stock.

Might call the gun maker and ask them what to use on the stock w/ out damaging it.

Logs · November 6, 2020, 10:19 AM

It's a Remington, so not sure anyone is working the phones with the bankruptcy. I'll give goo be gone a shot.

FITASC · November 6, 2020, 11:54 AM

Quote:

My wife might recommend Goo be gone.. I dont believe it will harm stock.

Might call the gun maker and ask them what to use on the stock w/ out damaging it.

Use Goo Gone OUTSIDE; the chemicals used are toxic and cause serious issues if inhaled

Bill DeShivs · November 6, 2020, 02:59 PM

Goo Gone uses citrus oil as the main ingredient. We use it indoors all the time.
You could mask off the stippled area and give it a shot of black spray paint, or use the same stripper that was effective, and scrub the area with an old toothbrush.

October 27, 2020, 07:22 PM	#1
Logs Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 1999 Location: BLUEGRASS STATE KY USA Posts: 1,780	Removing Spray Paint from a Shotgun Picked up a nice shotgun, but I was hoping to remove the former owners paint job. Not sure the type of paint, but I have tried Brake Cleaner, Nail Polish Remover, and Paint Thinner and it is not cutting it. Plastic stock so I don't want to goof it up too bad. Any Ideas??????? As a backup plan and I just repaint it. Anyone recommend a good stencils or paint kit so it looks a little more professional? Thanks Logs. Very little coming off. __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER

October 27, 2020, 07:37 PM	#2
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,441	I have seen folks use actual leaves placed on the stock and then fall colors used.... __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

October 28, 2020, 01:04 AM	#5
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,816	Try Zip-Strip or Citri-strip (non toxic though the strong orange smell gives me a headache the toxic fume ones never did...) Not sure if they will eat a plastic stock, or not, but they won't hurt the metal (or wood). __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

October 28, 2020, 08:22 AM	#6
Logs Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 1999 Location: BLUEGRASS STATE KY USA Posts: 1,780	Just tried the Citri-Strip on barrel and after 15 min it is really starting to come off nicely. Will test the stock later today. Thank You. __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER

October 29, 2020, 09:09 PM	#7
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	I know the cure has already been found, but it just occurred to me to try brake fluid one of these days- on purpose. I know it does a dandy job of taking paint off of my old CJ5's firewall, I just don't know how long it takes. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

October 27, 2020, 08:51 PM	#3
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	"MOST" (note the "most") plastic parts used on modern guns are pretty solvent resistant. Most plastic stocks are a fiber reinforced nylon blend that lacquer thinner won't harm. Much depends on what type of paint was used, but in all likelihood it's some sort of cheap spray can paint. Those are usually not very durable and are attacked by many solvents. I'd recommend getting a can of ordinary lacquer thinner and take the gun OUTSIDE..... lacquer thinner is explosively flammable and any spark or pilot light can cause a WHOOMPH. Test it on a hidden area of the stock to see if it attacks the paint, and if it attacks the stock. If it begins to attack the paint but not the stock, just use it to remove all the paint, working on it with a stiff solvent proof brush to speed it up. In most cases you'll find the lacquer thinner will remove the paint and not harm the stock. If it does attack the plastic, hit a big paint store and ask for a paint remover that's plastic-safe.

October 27, 2020, 09:27 PM	#4
wbbh Member Join Date: March 31, 2017 Posts: 71	I bought a Browning BPS shotgun that was painted like that, I used Brake Cleaner, number 4 steel wool, old tooth brushes and a brass brush.

October 29, 2020, 09:32 PM	#8
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,441	It also works well for cleaning the inside of the barrels __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

October 30, 2020, 08:28 AM	#9
Logs Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 1999 Location: BLUEGRASS STATE KY USA Posts: 1,780	I got most of the paint off. I can't get the paint out rough parts. Citri-Strip, Brake Cleaner, Rubbing Alcohol, Nail Polish Remover, and Dawn Soap have all been tried. I did strip off the paint on the trigger guard, but that is not a big deal for me. Barrel and Receiver look great. AFTER Two days of work.............. My Before................................. __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER

October 30, 2020, 09:51 AM	#10
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,459	I would say it looks 1000% better in the "after" photo. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

October 30, 2020, 09:53 AM	#11
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 1,747	^ I'd have to agree __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearms Safety, Pistol and Rifle Instructor *“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life......”* President John F. Kennedy

October 30, 2020, 01:34 PM	#12
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...Brake Cleaner, Rubbing Alcohol, Nail Polish Remover, and Dawn Soap..." Those products don't strip paint. They're mostly degreasers. The Citri-Strip should have done something though. I'd suggest E-Z Off but it'd likely eat plastic/synthetics. Takes carbon off steel PDQ though. Used it on FAL gas plugs years ago. Had them on a thickly painted wood railing and the paint was lifted in seconds. "...paint on the trigger guard..." Trigger guard plastic or Al? "...the paint out rough parts..." That being the 'pebbled' grip parts? Got a bench grinder? Try a light touch with a brass wire wheel. Same wheel in a rotary tool works. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

October 30, 2020, 05:18 PM	#13
Logs Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 1999 Location: BLUEGRASS STATE KY USA Posts: 1,780	Trigger is Aluminum Yes, the stippled looking parts are still brown. I will try brass brush thanks for the tip. __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER

October 31, 2020, 02:39 PM	#14
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	The stippled/checkered areas can probably be cleaned with toothpicks and/or a dental scaler. I've done it before. Tedious, but worth it if you don't want to repaint. On wood stocks, it is more work. But on plastic fantastic, the paint usually isn't well adhered there; and prior use of stripper has probably compromised it further. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

October 31, 2020, 04:24 PM	#15
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,771	Is that a versamax? I worked on one recently and I thought it was pretty BU in the stock black/grey--I would be tempted to paint it too if I had one though maybe not the barrel. Can't say I blame the former owner. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

November 5, 2020, 10:22 PM	#16
langenc Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2007 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 1,551	My wife might recommend Goo be gone.. I dont believe it will harm stock. Might call the gun maker and ask them what to use on the stock w/ out damaging it.

November 6, 2020, 10:19 AM	#17
Logs Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 1999 Location: BLUEGRASS STATE KY USA Posts: 1,780	It's a Remington, so not sure anyone is working the phones with the bankruptcy. I'll give goo be gone a shot. __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER

November 6, 2020, 02:59 PM	#19
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	Goo Gone uses citrus oil as the main ingredient. We use it indoors all the time. You could mask off the stippled area and give it a shot of black spray paint, or use the same stripper that was effective, and scrub the area with an old toothbrush. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com