Removing old varnish off metal parts - Help !

Nabs

Nabs

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Hello everyone,

I was hoping I could get some help with this milsurp. A previous owner put some wood varnish on the metal and stock of a Gewehr 98 I have. The varnish looks to be old and hardened. I use some 0000 steel wool and it worked to remove the varnish off of the barrel and receiver but the unit disc and recoil lug still have a layer on them. I carefully used some steel wool on these bits but it just buffed them to a smooth finish.

I am looking to remove the varnish off of these parts so they can be back "in the white" again. I was thinking of using something to chip it off but I do not want to risk scratching the metal or dinging the wood.

Any thoughts here ?

Thanks for the help CGN :).

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Would I drip some furniture stripper on the metal bits, I have never used it before.

I want to avoid getting it on the stock as the finish on it is quite nice and actually has preserved the markings.
 
I have thought about it but it has likely set in postion after a century and will be unlikely to come out without damaging the wood. Same goes for the unit disc as the wood has tighten up in this area as well.

I just want to clarify, I would like to remove the varnish off the unit disc and recoil lug.
 
If it is shellac coating your rifle then Methyl Hydrate will remove it quite easily.

You can buy 946ml of it cheaply at Canadian Tire.

It will also strip the finish off of the wood, so unless that is your plan as well, you need to be very careful.

Try putting some on the end of a Q-Tip if you just want to clean the metal bits.


If it isn't shellac coating you rifle then Mineral Spirits are supposed to be the thinner/solvent for traditional varnish now.

It's cheap and at CT also.

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varnish
 
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Thanks :).

I'm not sure what type of varnish it is but hopefully it will come off.

When I first got the rifle, I thought the receiver and barrel were covered in rust but thankfully not after the steel wool and gun oil treatment.
 
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