Unfrefurbish an SKS?

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Finally found a letter series SKS. It's a BBQ paint rifle though. How easily does that BBQ paint come off the dust cover and receiver?

Thinking about re-bluing it. It will never be a true collectors rifle either way, so it couldn't hurt to have it look more original.
 
First try Oven Cleaner or Acetone, then sanding and a dremel (the flap sanding round one with 80 grit - expensive but perfect), done it many times. As to bluing, make sure you remove all the paint, then best to heat the metal with hot water (dry after), a guy on youtube used a small torch or put it in the oven at 250 C for 5 min (you should still be able to touch it), then apply cold bluing https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000LC601K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 evenly, better more than less but don't leave it on too long. If you want it darker apply several times but don't reheat again. Will be perfect. Best regards from bubba heaven.
 
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Acetone will take most off but not enough to make it clean. I guess you have to stay with your ugly duck. Plus, there is a reason for the BBQ paint - poor finish.
 
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Methyl hydrate and steel wire brush. Methyl Hydrate and steel wool. Eventually, you'll end up with a grey phosphate like finish.
Cold blue. Card with steel wool. The bluing eats the grey stuff and replaces itself. Blue and steel wool until it gets to where you like it.
Works for the Molot refurbs with the diamond mark just aft of the ejection port.
 
They make a product specifically for this. I believe it's called... paint stripper. Don't eat it or put it in your hair. The aerosol stuff is my favorite paired with a plastic bondo spreader to remove the brunt of it then steel wool to get the rest. Keep it wet with stripper (sage advice in many situations) for best results.
 
I would be concerned to open up a can of sardines, ask yourself why did they use BBQ paint, well I tell you - it covers up the rust nicely. Have and having owned many SKS inc BBQ ones.
 
Don't use a steel wire wheel or you'll have deep marks in the metal and it will be very difficult to get rid of them. (Ask me how I know) Perhaps brass, but I'd avoid wire abrasives if possible. If you must use abrasives use finer grit sandpaper and take your time. Maybe wet sand.

Try solvents first. Chemical stripper or acetone. That finish is pretty durable though.

FYI I just had a CZ 455 receiver parkerized at Vulcan Gun and it looks incredible. It cost $100 plus tax and shipping. Not really the correct finish but as you said it won't be a collector piece anyway. Might as well make it pretty. He would like bead blast it before doing the park. Just an option to consider.
 
Paint stripper then steel wool for the paint/rust removal. Acetone to clean up residues after before refinishing. Then your prefered bluing method.
Seems like a lot of work to get a deep finish.
 
Be forewarned, what some people think is bbq paint isn’t actually. I have one that looks like it’s bbq paint but it’s more of a baked on finish or parkerizing, it’s hard and tough. Solvents won’t strip it off, I’ve seen the peeling flaking bbq paint before and mine is not it.

If I was going to strip mine it would need to be media blasted to get it down to bare metal.
 
This. There are two types of BBQ paint. One is a thinner flat paint that comes off fairly easily with a good stripper and/or some elbow grease. The other is more of a semi-gloss, thick, hard parkerizing sort of stuff. Trying to remove it will be a right proper nightmare.

Butcherbill said:
Be forewarned, what some people think is bbq paint isn’t actually. I have one that looks like it’s bbq paint but it’s more of a baked on finish or parkerizing, it’s hard and tough. Solvents won’t strip it off, I’ve seen the peeling flaking bbq paint before and mine is not it.

If I was going to strip mine it would need to be media blasted to get it down to bare metal.
Click to expand...
 
PinkyPlinker said:
This. There are two types of BBQ paint. One is a thinner flat paint that comes off fairly easily with a good stripper and/or some elbow grease. The other is more of a semi-gloss, thick, hard parkerizing sort of stuff. Trying to remove it will be a right proper nightmare.
Click to expand...

Yeah it would be a royal pita to remove it if you didn’t have access to a blasting cabinet, although in my case it’s a nice even tough finish that I wouldn’t want to take off. It’s a Molot import and was well done when applied, I don’t think I’d even be concerned to be out in a downpour with it due to the finish.
 
You could always buy another sks to practice on. Try different methods of stripping on different parts of it and see which one works the best for you. If it works out then you have two decent rifles and if not then you haven't ruined the one you want to keep.
 
Personally, I would leave it as is. You're opening Pandora's Box. It's a BBQ paint refurb. It is what it is. Ugly but practical. Is all that time and effort worth the cost of simply buying a blued specimen?
 
I removed the bbq on my dust cover on one. It revealed 9/10 bluing. I think its worth it, whats the worst that could happen? Get it re blued after..
 
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