Stripping finish on milsurps

[Butta85]

I've got a 1903a3 that's got a "nice" coat of some type of glossy finish applied by the previous owner. I want to strip it and return it to it's military appearence. Any recommendations for stripper? I was planning on using citrus strip unless you all have some better recommendations. Thanks!

[bigbossman]

Oven cleaner.

[dustoff31]

Well, it's pretty brutal, but, oven cleaner. It will take all the way down to bare wood.

[capt14k]

Please DON'T USE OVEN CLEANER. Is it is Poly it can be removed with acetone and a rubber scrubber.

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[highpower]

I have found citristrip to be virtually useless. Instead I use a product called "Jasco". It is nasty stuff and you need to wear chemical resistant gloves, but it removes the old finish without harming the wood.

[God Bless America]

Citristrip will do it.

[Enfield47]

I prefer the Jasco stripper too, it works better and faster than Citristrip. Like highpower said, just wear rubber gloves and you'll be fine.

[bubbapug1]

Jasco here too. The wood comes away looking like the day it was inletted. Don't forget to iron out any compression dings.

[musketjon]

MEK and 4-0 steel wool.
Jon

[2meterB]

I have found citristrip to be virtually useless. Instead I use a product called "Jasco". It is nasty stuff and you need to wear chemical resistant gloves, but it removes the old finish without harming the wood.

Agreed. Citristrip can take the shine off of fresh oils, but doesn't really do jack **** otherwise.

[God Bless America]

I prefer the Jasco stripper too, it works better and faster than Citristrip. Like highpower said, just wear rubber gloves and you'll be fine.

Forgot about the Jasco, that stuff is methylene chloride, very potent, if attacking a shiny finish, probably a better first choice than Citristrip.

[TRAP55]

MEK and 4-0 steel wool.
Jon

This ^, or lacquer thinner, especially on an oil finish. With the thinner and wool, with a little practice, you can control the amount you want to remove, and leave the natural color that's underneath.
On a poly finish, I'll use Jasco spray can, plastic scraper, and finish it up with the MEK or thinner and 0000 steel wool.
Oven cleaner

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I am no expert by any means, but depending on the finish, Citristrip can work. I have used it on shellacked Mosin Nagant stocks and after about 20 minutes the shellack literally wipes off with a rag.

Obviously other finishes will be more resilient, so YMMV. Even with Citristrip you should wear gloves, as it will burn the skin mildly.

[smoothy8500]

If it is polyurethane varnish such as Minwax, Varathane, or the real old fashioned Tru-Oil, then you will probably need the Jasco.