Refinishing a BLR stock set

Payshints.
Lots awf’ver.
Circa 1540?
The old chit they don’t make anymore.
Gitter awn there, letter werk.
Then scrape litely wid a plastik scraper.

Add mawr and reepeet.

This is ware yer payshints needs tuh werk too.
 
I asked George Wortner of Wortner Gun Works in Chatham about this years ago. He suggested using 0000 steel wool to dull the gloss finish. I never tried it but he was a master gunsmith so I think it would work....
 
Yes, patience will be your most valuable tool. I've done 2 BLRs and a BBR and stripping them all really sucked, but the end result was worth it. Dulling the finish will remove the high gloss, but won't remove the slight tint that browning includes from factory - the wood grain will be much more noticeable following a full strip and refinish.

Repeated applications of stripper (i used "D super remover" from home hardware), and scraping off what you can after each application.The stripper doesn't really strip the finish off a browning, at least not the product i used, or many others i researched. It does soften it up slightly to make scraping it off easier. I ditched the plastic for a metal scraper - much better and is fine if you are CAREFUL. Don't press too hard, let the blade do the work, especially once you are near bare wood (sanding the last little bit, by hand and with a block, is wise). For the checkering, multiple applications and a gentle scraping with a brass brush after each. Gentle, unless you want to redo the checkering.

Good luck!

Some finished result...
https://photobucket.com/u/horsman5/...aefad3/p/a53e3ec5-d09c-43d2-84d5-77b12702e7d4
https://photobucket.com/u/horsman5/...aefad3/p/f57a2b80-07a9-45e7-a466-45288d0406f2
https://photobucket.com/u/horsman5/...aefad3/p/d222ab00-3e80-4254-918c-808f54962cf7
https://photobucket.com/u/horsman5/...aefad3/p/08278c08-6bf3-4049-ba7b-c1473d1b6a98
https://photobucket.com/u/horsman5/...aefad3/p/fdb14e86-f25b-4100-909b-3020d6f7792a
 
Furgitt tuh add, tater brushes.
Nawt too sawft, nawt too'ard.
Need'im with open spaces tween the bristles so yewse can clean'im owt wid t'tuther brush.
Need ahh'andle sows yer mitt can gripp'im.

Dawller store bee yer buddy'ear.
 
hors555 said:
Yes, patience will be your most valuable tool. I've done 2 BLRs and a BBR and stripping them all really sucked, but the end result was worth it. Dulling the finish will remove the high gloss, but won't remove the slight tint that browning includes from factory - the wood grain will be much more noticeable following a full strip and refinish.

Repeated applications of stripper (i used "D super remover" from home hardware), and scraping off what you can after each application.The stripper doesn't really strip the finish off a browning, at least not the product i used, or many others i researched. It does soften it up slightly to make scraping it off easier. I ditched the plastic for a metal scraper - much better and is fine if you are CAREFUL. Don't press too hard, let the blade do the work, especially once you are near bare wood (sanding the last little bit, by hand and with a block, is wise). For the checkering, multiple applications and a gentle scraping with a brass brush after each. Gentle, unless you want to redo the checkering.

Good luck!

Some finished result...
https://photobucket.com/u/horsman5/...aefad3/p/a53e3ec5-d09c-43d2-84d5-77b12702e7d4
https://photobucket.com/u/horsman5/...aefad3/p/f57a2b80-07a9-45e7-a466-45288d0406f2
https://photobucket.com/u/horsman5/...aefad3/p/d222ab00-3e80-4254-918c-808f54962cf7
https://photobucket.com/u/horsman5/...aefad3/p/08278c08-6bf3-4049-ba7b-c1473d1b6a98
https://photobucket.com/u/horsman5/...aefad3/p/fdb14e86-f25b-4100-909b-3020d6f7792a
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips. I have refinished several stocks over the years, but, by all accounts, the Browning high gloss finish is a bear to remove. I usually use a wide blade metal scraper, carefully. :)
 
kamlooky said:
Furgitt tuh add, tater brushes.
Nawt too sawft, nawt too'ard.
Need'im with open spaces tween the bristles so yewse can clean'im owt wid t'tuther brush.
Need ahh'andle sows yer mitt can gripp'im.

Dawller store bee yer buddy'ear.
Click to expand...

I have typically used a stiff bristle toothbrush in the past. I'll post picks when I get started...
 
woodlotowner said:
Very interesting. May actually experiment a tad with this. I mean, so far, suggestions have been; wood rasp, sand blasting, #40 grit paper, and aluminum aircraft paint stripper. What could go wrong... :)
Click to expand...

I have refinished a few and many hand planes that were finished in the 40's 50' etc. I tried strippers, scraping, sanding and always took away wood and was never the same. Then I tried the torch and was amazed how well it worked. Just watch it and dont burn the wood, usually 2 applications did the trick. Then use some denatured alcohol to wipe.
 
You can try just dulling down the finish with 4ought steel wool. I stripped one with circa 1850 once and then sanded and refinished with tung oil. The circa 1850 wasn’t great in it but it worked eventually. Took lots of sanding. Good luck.
 
My experience with the new finish that you will apply is Varathane Natural Oil Clear # 66 will do a nice job

Test it on some scrap first to see if you like it
 
0000 steel wool will scratch the Finnish not full it if you wish to soften the shine you use 600 and higher grit paper and some type of gain oil as a lubricant.
Not steel wool
 
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