Stripper problems, need help

[jaywapti]

After 20 odd years, my CZ-550 needed a good stock refinish. I tried the stripper iv'e used for years, after several applications it barely touched it, called Teach last night, he said to try acetone or lacquer thinner, didnt do anything, even tried an epoxy stripper that has worked fine on boats. Anyone have any ideas as to what type of finish CZ uses, or what will remove it.

JAY

[cpj]

Airplane remover WILL take it off. It will take off anything. Its just VERY VERY VERY nasty.

[FiveSeven]

Well the first thing you need to know about stripper is.......they only work for money.

I generally use a razor blade to strip stock with fairly good results.

[Teach]

Several years ago when DuPont developed IMRON polyurethane paint, some crop duster airplanes got painted with it. The stuff worked great- - - - -even the area near the spray nozzles that usually got the paint stripped away by the chemicals only got dulled a little, and the rest of the plane looked brand new for a long time. Then, when it was time to strip the paint for a scheduled structural inspection, NOTHING would remove it! The stuff finally had to be sanded off! You might have to resort to plain old sandpaper to get the finish off!
Jerry

[SirGeorgeKillian]

They might look great, but I wouldn't recommend taking her home to mom.

[shooter]

After 20 odd years, my CZ-550 needed a good stock refinish. I tried the stripper iv'e used for years, after several applications it barely touched it, called Teach last night, he said to try acetone or lacquer thinner, didnt do anything, even tried an epoxy stripper that has worked fine on boats. Anyone have any ideas as to what type of finish CZ uses, or what will remove it.

JAY

I'm not sure which one you've used for years, but I've used a lot of these products in the past to strip finish off of antiques (furniture) and also rifle stocks.

http://www.formbys.com/products/paint_poly_remover/

[Big Al1]

Certistrip or a cabinet scraper! http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...-prod4984.aspx

[orchidman]

You might have to resort to plain old sandpaper to get the finish off!
Jerry

I agree with Jerry.

Tried to strip the finish off my B/A .22 which is my pest control 'go to' weapon. Like you, I tried everything and all I ended up with was an unholy mess. I finally tried using a razor sharp scraper by holding it at right angles to the stock and scraping with some pretty heavy pressure. It seemed to 'crack' the finish after the first couple of passes and the third pass started removing it. Even then, it took a lot of work with sandpaper to get the stock back to the point where it was ready for a new finish. Make sure ( if you use this method) that the 'scraper' doesnt have any nicks in it and try to go with the grain.

I clamped the stock firmly and used an old carving knife blade after putting a handle on each end. It enables you to use long slow strokes and retain control with two hands. BUT..............The gun is a function over form deal and all I wanted was to change the stock from a glossy varnish finish ( which was slippery esp when it got wet) to something more practical.

[jaywapti]

Well the first thing you need to know about stripper is.......they only work for money.

I generally use a razor blade to strip stock with fairly good results.

Been using a razor slow work. AS to the stripper, I paid up front.

JAY

[jaywapti]

Airplane remover WILL take it off. It will take off anything. Its just VERY VERY VERY nasty.

I dont work for an airline anymore, but yes its great stuff.

JAY

[Michakav]

Could always try Easy-Off. Just make sure to neutralize it after.

[cpj]

No need to work for an airline. Any home improvement box store or Walmart carries it.

[Slanteyedshootist]

Saw your post and thought to myself, "Finally, a problem I know something about." I clicked on the topic and realized I was mistaken. Again.

[cpj]

Saw your post and thought to myself, "Finally, a problem I know something about." I clicked on the topic and realized I was mistaken. Again.

Dude. You cant even pronounce stripper. You cant even make it sound like something else. Its not possible. Way too many R's.

[Slanteyedshootist]

Dude. You cant even pronounce stripper. You cant even make it sound like something else. Its not possible. Way too many R's.

I just call them "Honey baby".

[jaywapti]

Been working on it all night, ended up scraping it with a razor blade, didnt even bugger up the checkering but theres some dings in it so i'm gonna recut the checkering. Then sand and dewhisker 3 or 4 times and put an oil finish on it. Let ya know how it comes out.

My thanks to all for your help and advice.

JAY

[snake284-1]

After 20 odd years, my CZ-550 needed a good stock refinish. I tried the stripper iv'e used for years, after several applications it barely touched it, called Teach last night, he said to try acetone or lacquer thinner, didnt do anything, even tried an epoxy stripper that has worked fine on boats. Anyone have any ideas as to what type of finish CZ uses, or what will remove it.

JAY

You evidently have some kind of super Polyurethane finish like Remington's old "Bowling Ball finish." Nothing short of gamma rays would take that crap off. I have used Formby's Furniture Refinisher with good luck on oil finished or regular poly unrethane finished stocks. But I did have one gun I had to damn near dip in the stuff and rub like hell with steel wool to get it off, my 03-A3, which had been refinished with Spar Varnish i think. But for regular oil finished stocks, Formby's is great. But beware that it will strip it down to the raw grain, or in other words strip out the oil from the grain and you have to put a lot of coats on to refill the grain. But it really comes out nice if you take your time and do it right.