Paint removal

[lscocoa]

I picked up a 29 that has a reddish brown metal flake paint or finger nail polish on it. It's very hard and a brass brush does nothing . Any suggestions on removal without blue damage ?

 

[Pisgah]

Fingernail polish remover.

 

[abbyonheyward]

Citrus stripper. See the photo. About 9 bucks in the paint department at Lowes.

UPDATED 8/11/17 SEE POST 18 Buck Knife Issue and Question

 

[arjay]

Try some acetone

 

[ContinentalOp]

I've had good luck with acetone, fingernail polish remover, or denatured alcohol. However, I've only used them on stainless guns, so I don't know if they're ok to use on blued guns.

 

[Hondo44]

Acetone (finger nail polish remover) will not harm bluing. Soak the gun for 10 or 15 minutes.

Gun citrus cleaners like Breakfree do not harm bluing. I can't say about paint strippers.

 

[Tom-R2]

Don't try Navel Jelly though, it will strip bluing off in a few seconds. Unless you are planning on refinishing the whole thing.

 

[glowe]

It is the acid in any cleaner that removes bluing. Naval Jelly has Phosphoric Acid, which attacks rust as advertised. Bluing is a form of rust. I do not believe any paint remover contains acid, but you can check the MSDS on all products before use.

 

[steelslaver]

Acetone should do it, might take some soak time, but safer than any paint remover. Acetone has a very low flash point and vaporizes easily. A covered container and NO sparks or flames. Leave an uncovered pan of acetone out very long and it will become an empty pan.

 

[Arquebus357]

Is the entire gun covered with this paint ? How strange. Actually, fingernail polish is a very very high grade of paint so removing it can be a challenge. I would try acetone as suggested. As an aside, for rust/bluing removal go to Evaporust. This stuff is amazing and you could probably drink it with no danger.

 

[ACORN]

I’ve used break cleaner to remove paint. Might work.

 

[AuDoc]

I have removed fingernail polish from a 29-3 using acetone with no ill effects. Had fingernail polish in roll marks and front sight. Might steer clear of plastic insert in some front sights though.

 

[Abbynormal]

If it is the whole gun, take off stocks and soak gun in acetone. Let it soak for a few minutes and then use a toothbrush to remove paint. It may take several soaking and brushings, but will work without damaging the gun.

If it isn't the whole gun, you can soak a cloth in acetone and wrap it around the painted part. Again, brush as above.