How do I remove varnish from metal?
I have a Enfield III that someone hacked up with a sporter stock, and I'm trying to put it back military. They varnished (or whatever you call making the wood shiney) the stock and got it all over the reciever ring metal. Bluing good under varnish. Need to remove varnish without removing the finish on metal. Thanks Ben
James Willis
James Willis
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I would think that lacquer thinner should do this very well. Get it any place they sell automotive paint and supplies. 
81st FA BN WWII...Thanks Dad
U!S!A! ALL THE WAY!!0 -
Thanks to both of you, I will give them a try. quote:Originally posted by 65gto389
[?]==========Remember to test on a not easily seen surface prior to doing the rest of the gun.==========[?]
Like the other users have said; they sell a chemical at home depot, Lowes hardware, and wal-mart(non-union toilet extractors) that is specially made to remove varnish and not harm the wood (forget name though). But do not get it confused with pre-sanders. Pre-sanders remove varnish and scuff up the wood so sanding is very easy. You obviously do not want this kind of chemical.
Other possibilities include acetone as it is made to remove varnish and lacquer like that. Also another possibility is M.E.K.(methly ethel keytone) chemical which is used to thin varnish/ lacquer in painting.
More unlikely but still a possibility is denatured alcohol from the same location as the other stores. The home depot staff can give you a better feel as how the chemical(s) actually work as I do not have the several bottles in front of my face.
All these chemicals can be abrasive, so it is wise to have an extra bottle of re-blue/ gun Blue just in case.
=====On a side note if you want to remove rust from your gun and you use Navel Jelly it WILL remove the blue on your gun and you will have to re-blue your gun. But on the positive side Navel Jelly works very well.=====
" Those who give up a little freedom for temporary security, deserve neither freedom nor security "
- Benjamin Franklin
James Willis0 -
There is a product called "Goof- Off" it's in a plastic bottle and/ or a tin can with yellow label and red letters. You can get it at Home Depot, Lowes or almost any other paint and varnish store. This stuff works slick. 0 -
And least of all, let us not forget steel wool! 4 ought steel wool will take most anything off of a blued steel finish without harming the blue finish underneath. I owned a body shop for 25 years, and we were constantly faced with removing over spray from windshields, and chrome pieces that had not been masked correctly. We used 4 ought steel wool exclusively for that job, with great results.
It is cheaper, and much easier to use than the chemical options you have. Good luck!
BigBarn[:o)]
"Respect the land, and it will respect you"0 -
Just a note, Many enfeilds are actually painted, and not blued. Anything that is going to take off varnish is probably going to take off the paint as well.
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Whatever the factory would have done to it in '53 is what it has. If it is paint( I can't tell) and paint comes off I guess I can just put paint back. Thanksquote:Originally posted by richbug
Just a note, Many enfeilds are actually painted, and not blued. Anything that is going to take off varnish is probably going to take off the paint as well.
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James Willis0
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