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Hello all, this is my first post since I can remember.
How can Korean markings be removed without damage to a stock? It appears the 'paint' they used stained into the wood below the surface. Can it be saved?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Dave E from Detroit
Yes, it can easily be saved. There are several ways to do it. Without seeing it, I cannot say which is best though.
Pic would help. The usual rack numbers are not a big deal , but some of the ROK returns ( the really nice ones ) were ceremonial guns . Some of them may have some very cool unit slogans.
Dave E,
Keep in mind it's hard to treat one spot then have the whole stock come out looking the same.
Also remember most if not all of these old paints were oil and lead based. Safe enough to strip, but don't sand them without using the proper precautions.
I use a hot stripper in a gel form called Zar Paint and Varnish Remover, made by UGL.
It's getting harder to find, but it will work with only 1 or 2 applications. By far the best I've worked with. Heavily/multiple coated areas of paint like on the bottom of a pistol grip may take 3 or 4 tries. I usually concentrate on these spots first before going over the entire stock. The trick is getting the old paint out of the wood's pores. While letting the stripper do the work, using a stiff bristle brush with a hard water rinse usually pulls the last of the paint from the pores.
Here's a link you can use to find this stripper locally...
UGL - Removing And Finishing - ZAR Paint and Varnish Remover
After being stripped, when dry I wipe a spot with regular paint thinner ( mineral spirits ) this gives me an idea of what the wood will look like if it gets a natural finish (no stain) If the stock's natural color is still to dark and your wanting a lighter color, I use a 2 part painters wood bleach to lighten the grain then stain. This bleaching also pulls out black spots.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC06047-1.jpg
If I can be of any help, feel free to e-mail or PM me by clicking on my username under my avatar. I grew up in the Downriver area.. Flat Rock. In fact I'll be at the Elks Lodge
26917 Telegraph, Flat Rock. Saturday evening Oct 16 for a benefit dinner for a friend.
Cheers,
Charlie-painter777
All of these had paint removed. Here's some before and after pics using the method described above.... Some were stained, some left natural color.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9/12/R11-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC05254-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...03/QRMC4-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC01940-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC02465-1.jpg