need help stripping a 1912 Erfurt for re-finish

John Sabato · 10-28-2013, 12:19 PM

The judicious use of a mini butane pencil torch (of the type that is used for browning the top of Creme' Brulee dessert) that is kept moving to affect ONLY the paint and not greatly affect the temperature of the frame should burn the paint crispy so you can brass wire brush it off. I can not overemphasize that you can't hold the torch steady in one spot too long. You must keep it moving. This small size torch miminizes the chance that you will damage the frame. ( see the example from an ebay auction)

If you have ever stripped paint off of wood with a torch that is the technique you need to emulate. Hold it in one place only long enough to burn the paint and then brass brush or scrape it and move on. Once the paint is burnt to ash, it will be easy to brass brush off.

You don't want to burn the "wood" only the paint. Try something simple like the lanyard loop first... This technique will work, but it will be slow.
Good luck, and take lots of photos of your progress and post them here.

10-28-2013, 12:19 PM	#15
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	The judicious use of a mini butane pencil torch (of the type that is used for browning the top of Creme' Brulee dessert) that is kept moving to affect ONLY the paint and not greatly affect the temperature of the frame should burn the paint crispy so you can brass wire brush it off. I can not overemphasize that you can't hold the torch steady in one spot too long. You must keep it moving. This small size torch miminizes the chance that you will damage the frame. ( see the example from an ebay auction) If you have ever stripped paint off of wood with a torch that is the technique you need to emulate. Hold it in one place only long enough to burn the paint and then brass brush or scrape it and move on. Once the paint is burnt to ash, it will be easy to brass brush off. You don't want to burn the "wood" only the paint. Try something simple like the lanyard loop first... This technique will work, but it will be slow. Good luck, and take lots of photos of your progress and post them here. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*