How to remove old paint?

azlaw · 11-18-2007, 11:29 PM

I've been tinkering with one of those Ishapore Enfields from India. I was originally parkerized, then painted with something thin and back, then painted with enamel that looked like it was applied with a mop.

I got the enamel off with paint stripper quit easily (BrakeKleen also worked, but was slower). Used Chemtool for the little parts. The thin black stuff is much tougher. I did manage to work it off a bit with BrakeKleen and a rag, but it was a lot of work. Ended up giving up as I didn't want to put in that much effort. MEK had no effect, nor did acetone. Nothing petroleum based either.

BTW - It takes some real gloves to stop of these chemicals, and I don't know what kind will work. Turns out that latex, neoprene, and nitrile all don't work. Owch.

H

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11-18-2007, 11:29 PM	#11
azlaw User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 207 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I've been tinkering with one of those Ishapore Enfields from India. I was originally parkerized, then painted with something thin and back, then painted with enamel that looked like it was applied with a mop. I got the enamel off with paint stripper quit easily (BrakeKleen also worked, but was slower). Used Chemtool for the little parts. The thin black stuff is much tougher. I did manage to work it off a bit with BrakeKleen and a rag, but it was a lot of work. Ended up giving up as I didn't want to put in that much effort. MEK had no effect, nor did acetone. Nothing petroleum based either. BTW - It takes some real gloves to stop of these chemicals, and I don't know what kind will work. Turns out that latex, neoprene, and nitrile all don't work. Owch. H