need help stripping a 1912 Erfurt for re-finish

[sthomp]

Sunday morning update...no luck so far. I soaked the barrel/rcvr overnite in gasoline...didn't touch the black stuff. I had also left the Super Strip on the frame overnite...no change this morning. So, it looks like either propane torch to try to burn it off or head to the bead blaster. It may take a few days to get new info, but I'll post when available. I do check the links you all suggest...thanks. Steve

[rhuff]

Originally Posted by sthomp

Sunday morning update...no luck so far. I soaked the barrel/rcvr overnite in gasoline...didn't touch the black stuff. I had also left the Super Strip on the frame overnite...no change this morning. So, it looks like either propane torch to try to burn it off or head to the bead blaster. It may take a few days to get new info, but I'll post when available. I do check the links you all suggest...thanks. Steve

Sorry to hear that my stuff didn't work for you. That is definitely some "bugger tough stuff"!!

[sthomp]

Tuesday update...the last couple of days have been very frustrating...haven't seen any progress...we were close to breaking out the propane torch, but GT and I got together again and tried one more shot at using a solvent.

RHUFF, this Bud's for you! GT had picked up an aerosol can of KLEAN-STRIP (I had been using it from a qt can)...there was a very visual difference in the reaction when sprayed on. Clearly good things started to happen. It wasn't going to be a quick stripping, but we now feel that with time and multiple applications, it will come clean. I was concerned about the different result of the can vs. the spray, so I called the manufacturer to see if there was any difference between the two...answer was, NO...they are the same. So, I took the rest of the qt can and dumped it in a metal pan and have submerged the "offending" parts in it and will let the soak with occasional stirring for 24 hrs. I also bought another spray can as a backup for after the soaking. I'm thinking it may well take multiple cans. The only thing I can think of for the different reactions is perhaps a shelf life problem. Ours came from two different stores. The guy at KLEAN-STRIP confirmed that the active ingredient is Methylene Chloride.
All other suggestions are duly noted and on the back burner for now.
I'm hoping for "clean" pictures within a week...I'll share. Steve

[sthomp]

addendum to above...It is also requiring vigorous wire brush action at about 1 hr intervals. I have both stainless and brass brushes...both types are small with fairly soft bristles. Toward the end we may go to 0000 and Acetone for the final prep before sending off for re-bluing. Steve

[rhuff]

Steve,

I am so glad that you are making progress. I don't know what the difference in the two cans might be, but shelf life could certainly enter in. Just don't get this stuff on your skin or in your face.....it is a "bad actor"(ask me how I know!!). I used one of those non-metal/open pore paint stripping wheels in my drill at a very slow speed(keeps from flipping the stripper on you or others), and a lot of 00 steel wool. I look forward to hearing your progress. I like Bud, by the way.

[Arizona Slim]

Just a thought but I wonder if that could have been Powder coated? It sounds like a real nightmare to remove.

Lon

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by rhuff

... Just don't get this stuff on your skin or in your face.....it is a "bad actor"(ask me how I know!!). I used one of those non-metal/open pore paint stripping wheels in my drill....

Caution! Those stripping wheels are quite abrasive, there's grit bonded to the filaments of the pad, and I'd worry about surface damage.

"Bad actor"--agreed! I worked part-time during college at an antique store, where I refinished furniture. A co-worker got a kick out of applying just a dab to, say, the inside of my upper arm, where the skin is tender. He was sneaky about it, but even if you caught him, it was too late. As the methylene chloride soaked thru the skin, it would create a burning sensation that would not wash off, impervious to any efforts to relieve it. A prank that registers high on the annoyance meter... To whirl one's face full of the stuff would be quite an experience!

Originally Posted by Arizona Slim

Just a thought but I wonder if that could have been Powder coated?
Lon

That's what this stuff sounds like to me.

D.P.

[sthomp]

Well, the saga continues...the last couple of days have seen some, but minimal progress. The Klean-Strip is slowly attacking it, but very slowly. So, today I went back over to GT's place and we decided to put the muscle to it...try to speed things up. We broke out the propane torch...and very tentatively attacked a small area. It took several maybe 5 second shots with wire brushing between shots to see any removal. So, we got more aggressive and really went after it...right up to the point that the metal was just starting to turn bluish...GT estimated about 600F...we didn't dare go any hotter for obvious reasons. The results were not as good as expected...still significant residual black junk hanging on. So, we did a prolonged application of the Klean-Strip after all the parts cooled down...then rinsed and dried and soaked in Muriatic acid for several minutes. After all of this there was still remnants remaining...more than we expected. Here are some before and after pics. The plan is to continue the propane treatment, with Klean-Strip and muriatic acid dips. I think this will get it done, but it ain't easy...what the hell is this stuff???. I really don't want to go to bead blasting.