Removing finish on wood stock

[1899]

What methods can be used to remove the finish on a wood stock? It is the factory finnish on a Sako L61R Finnbear. I am especially interested in the areas that are checkered as you can't just sand it.
Thanks

 

[bisonhd]

I found that "Circa 1850" stuff worked pretty good. After it eats the varnish it can be brushed out of the checkering with a stiff toothbrush.

 

[huntersdad]

I found that "Circa 1850" stuff worked pretty good. After it eats the varnish it can be brushed out of the checkering with a stiff toothbrush.

X2
I use any stiff bristle brush made of plastic ( fingernail brush or the like) to get it out of the checkering.

 

[sunray]

Depends on the existing finish, but wood is wood. Any wood stripping product will do. Polymer/plastic finishes require different products than varnish. A stiff toothbrush is best for the checkering.

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

What the others have said I concurr with. You are aware however that by stripping the Sako stock you will loose ALL of the nice wood grain.
The walnut Sako uses is an light yeelow to almost white wood, that has no discernable grain coloration, the lovely wood grain you see is actually painted on for lack of a better word. Years back, before they moved to the new Sako/Tikka plant , I toured their factory, and they used an airbrush and hot air blower to "install" the grain in the wood, needless to say some of the workers were more skilled at making fine wood grain than others, it really boiled down to the individual as to whether you had nice grain that looked natural ( same directions on both sides) or a darker stained stock with assorted directional grain. If you have seen the Sako Deluxe you will get the idea of the base color of the stocks.
Just thought I would let you know hopefully before you get the shock after the stripper has been applied. :mrgreen: