I had Remington 700 rifle stripped and refinished in oil. The stocker said it was very hard because even though it was stripped, the wood pores were still sealed, making absorption of the oil very difficult

I have seen that urethane stripper from brownells, but was leary to spend the money to try it. I dont do enough of it to take the chance on finding an “easier way”.

I stripped and refinished one Repro. I used a product called "Zip Strip" based upon good results on other projects previously. Using a home-made plastic scraper (delrin) the finish gave up the ghost without much trouble but, it did take more than one application of stripper and I was able to tune up the sharp edge of my scraper with ease whenever it was required. When all was scraped-off I followed with bronze wool dipped in the Zip Strip.

I was surprised how many voids were in the wood that'd been filled with whatever finish originally used, hiding them. I wouldn't do it again unless there was an issue with the gun or, as Kirk ventured, to restore a gun.

*I have one gun that required a small repair to the original finish. I wasn't having any luck at all blending the area until Brian kindly suggested Urethane..I used wiping urethane and the problem area disappeared right away..nothing else seemed to work (thanks Brian)

Great gun Kirk and great work Brian!!

I found the same to be true when I had finished stripping mine.




.

Brian, I am surprised that you would recommend using sandpaper, especially one as coarse as 120, as opposed to using a scraper. I could, however, see using an abrasive paper, followed by a scraper. I know a lot of old school furniture guys like using a piece of glass. I find using single edge razor blades effective. The trick is keeping the blade perpendicular to the wood. Razor blades, with some sort of tool, raise heck with arthritis.

Edgar, I can definitely see how the blade would be effective and I've known others (professional cabinet makers) to use the same. Somehow, I'm just not brave enough to put anything metallic to the task because I don't want to sand at all when refinishing if I can help it. (I wouldn't be concerned using a r-blade for something flat) It occurs to me an old credit card with a bit of a burnished edge akin to a cabinet scraper would do the trick.

Furniture refinishers break a pane of glass and wind up with any angle scraper they need.






.

That's pretty clever..never heard that one before. Thanks for sharing.

Homer Formby lived here

Well... i dont know what to tell you...