Removing factory baked enamel from milsurp

[tucker05]

Connot seem to find anything to remove the factory baked on enamel from one of my milsurps that I want to parkerize. I have tried paint remover, tyme (heavy duty cleaner) and am at a standstill.
Perhaps someone here on the board has done this with success. If anyone can help please pipe in.

 

[Mad_Mikee]

What about sandblasting?

 

[1300_stainless]

What about sandblasting?

That's what I'd suggest. Get the finest media you can. Start using a lower pressure and then adjust until it just starts to remove the paint. Also start at an inconspicuous part of the gun. I've stripped quite a few guns this way and if you're careful you can do it pretty delicately. With low pressure it's slow but you can reomove just enough material that the gun is stripped but the data stamps etc are all still sharp and visible.

 

[tucker05]

Sandblasting is a great idea!!
Only problem is I am not currently set up to do so
Cannot take gun to local personnel due to canadian regulations
Any suggestions on using other methods (chemical, etc.)

 

[Wendell]

See the Princess Auto catalog.
Getting set up for blasting may be easier than you think.

 

[guntech]

Possibly a propane torch and a wire wheel... a terrible process...

It is baked on and heat will soften it... enough heat will burn it away.

 

[1300_stainless]

Possibly a propane torch and a wire wheel... a terrible process...

It is baked on and heat will soften it... enough heat will burn it away.

X2 wire wheel is the next best option to sand blasting. Use as fine a wheel as you can get away with.

 

[CanAm]

What paint stripper did you use? Methylene Chloride?

 

[1300_stainless]

Im not sure what type of paint stripper you used but have you tried an aircraft type stripper? Usually pretty strong but wont harm even soft metals.

 

[CanAm]

Im not sure what type of paint stripper you used but have you tried an aircraft type stripper? Usually pretty strong but wont harm even soft metals.

ask for it at your local autobody supplier. Usually comes in spray cans.

 

[tucker05]

Forgot the name of the paint stripper...wife picked it up at Canadian Trash
I will definitely look into the aircraft type stripper.
Wire wheel sounds interesting too
Keep the replies coming
Thanks

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

The paint on a Lee Enfield is called Suncorite. It is some miserably durable form of baked enamel. It usually flakes and chips over time. I don't know if heat will do much good. The liquid paint is on some countrys' toxic industrial hazards lists. The welfare-gunsmithing solution is high temperature BBQ paint or exhaust header paint. Maybe you just need to buff the edges with steel wool to take off the 'step' and reapply a couple of finish coats.