[fredh]

Topside, I always recommend the use of soap and water, or water alone, on the first attempt to remove the extra finish. You never know; it may be water soluble.

The reason I say this is that after many years of heavy use, my Fox Model B-ST lost all the finish on the wood. This was back in the early '70s. To make a long story short, I prepped the wood, filled the pores with a filler given to me by a friend (it was some old Brownells product), then hand rubbed about 25 coats of 100% tung oil. So, there I am deep in the woods on opening day of turkey season, and the drizzle starts. After a while, I shifted position, moved my hands on the stock, and noticed my hands felt greasy. The damned finish had come up. Apparently, the tung oil did not seal the filler, and water removed both. Years ago, I also washed 98k and 03 stocks before reoiling them for my buddies. You never know 'til you try.

Concerning the use of gasoline, like already said, it's highly toxic and inflammable. That's dangerous stuff in more ways than one. It will also work no better than mineral spirits or many of the other solvents. You could probably do a Google search on the use of gasoline and get the straight scoop. I've used it before in odd situations where something else was not readily available and then used it only in small areas.

 

[fredh]

Topside, are you still around? We've talked this subject several times before on this board, and Brad/Don may want to make a sticky for future use. If you try the water or water/soap solution and that does not work, please let us know. I'll give you a proper step 2. One or two of the fellows have already hinted at it, and, very importantly, it will not affect the original urushi lacquer finish underneath the top coat. At this point, your photos do not show a major problem. Let us know what's going on.

 

[fredh]

Dan, mineral spirits will attack most finishes including the original urushi lacquer on the stock. The urushi is very durable though, and you'd have to really slosh it on to reduce the finish durability. The problem with using most solvents, including paint remover, is that it does not distinguish between the two applied finishes. You'll remove everything.

Ok, please do not use any abrasives, such as sandpaper and steel wool either. Abrasives show no prejudice and attack both coats. Neither coat is over about .003 in. thick anyway, so when do you stop when you try a stunt like that?

We've still got one other choice. It was popular after WW2 to add a coat of shellac to souvenir rifles. And I hope yours is shellac. Please pick up a small container of "completely denatured alcohol" at the paint store, hardware, H/D, or Lowe's. Using a soft cotton cloth soaked in denatured alcohol, pick a place on the metal where the new finish is and rub like hell. Then add some more alcohol to the rag and rub some more. Do you see a discoloration on the rag or removal of finish on surface being rubbed? If so, you're lucky and also have a project. Denatured alcohol will not attack the urushi finish underneath. Do not use rubbing alcohol - it's too harsh and will soften the urushi. I spent about 2 months spare time removing the shellac finish added to a rifle I used to have. But when through, you couldn’t tell the shellac was ever there!

Well, if the denatured alcohol does not work, we're out of chemicals, but I'd be willing to try one more thing. The added finish does not appear to be sticking well to the old finish underneath. That hints at improper surface prep or, if lucky, an oily surface before the new coat was applied. I've never done this before, but I'd try heating the surface with a hair dryer. Set the gun on low first and apply heat slowly on perhaps the underside of the buttstock. Then scrub with a soft bristle brush. Repeat. If you're brave and see that you're not affecting the finish underneath, turn the gun up to a high setting and repeat the scrubbing process.

Good luck on all this!

 

[fredh]

jangle, I love that one, and it may be the best idea yet! Using an ole back home expression, "You're cooking with gas."