Can These Grips Be Saved?

PEB · 02-17-2013, 04:22 PM

Hi All
I just recently purchased a 36 Mauser Luger that is going to be my shooter. It seems an owner at one point decided it was a good idea to paint the grips black.

The gun seems to be all matching but I do not see any number on the grips. I would like the wood checkered look for this pistol but don't know if these can be saved or if it is even worth it.

Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks
Paul

alanint · 02-17-2013, 04:44 PM

These are in nice shape and can certainly be saved. Paint stripper will not overly damage wood and if you apply and remove it judiciously, you should find nice wood underneath.

Once the paint is removed, you will want to treat the wood with an oil like Tung or linseed that will nourish it again.

ithacaartist · 02-17-2013, 08:19 PM

Hi Paul, welcome to the forum,

I agree with Doug that the paint can be stripped, but I'll add a couple of details that may help.

A good MEK based stripper, avoid water based. This stuff works better the longer it sits, and will continue to leach out noticeable bits of the paint's pigment and color, lightening the grips as much as possible. I've removed finish and other contaminants and crud from checkered walnut grips by immersing the grips in a mason jar full of stripper (thus, a mini strip tank) overnight, cleaning them up, and repeating to lighten them. This process won't affect the natural color of the wood, only removes the non-wood that makes them look crappy. Be careful to use a soft bristle toothbrush with the grain of the checkering (basically 2 sets of parallel vees, oriented at about 30 degrees from each other, and about 15 degrees, each way, from a line that is parallel to the lengthwise center line of the grip) to avoid removing any points still left on the pattern. Don't scrub. Clean the brush frequently. Rinse with acetone when it the bulky goo is gone, brushing lightly.

I can't make a call as to how effective refreshing the checkering towards the bottoms of the grips would be; I hope Hugh will comment. He can also recommend a stain that could, if necessary, help even out the color. Then it would be all sealed up with the oil Doug recommends.

I think these projects are fun; good luck!

David Parker

PEB · 02-17-2013, 08:28 PM

Thank you for the replies!!! It looks like I will do a little shopping tomorrow and get to work. I'll post some additional pics after the restoration process is complete.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply and help a new member!!!

Hugh · 02-18-2013, 06:43 PM

The right grip looks good, the left grip looks like it has been receckered already. Nothing can be done about the chip at the bottom of the left grip, and I wouldn't worry about the missing checkering at the bottom of the right grip. If you want to stain them after cleaning, I recommend Laurel Mountain Forge Antique Wood Stain "American Walnut" from Brownells or Midway.

02-17-2013, 04:22 PM	#1
PEB Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 78 Thanks: 2 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Can These Grips Be Saved? Hi All I just recently purchased a 36 Mauser Luger that is going to be my shooter. It seems an owner at one point decided it was a good idea to paint the grips black. The gun seems to be all matching but I do not see any number on the grips. I would like the wood checkered look for this pistol but don't know if these can be saved or if it is even worth it. Any help is greatly appreciated!!! Thanks Paul Attached Thumbnails

02-17-2013, 08:19 PM	#3
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,334 Thanks: 7,236 Thanked 2,551 Times in 1,358 Posts	Hi Paul, welcome to the forum, I agree with Doug that the paint can be stripped, but I'll add a couple of details that may help. A good MEK based stripper, avoid water based. This stuff works better the longer it sits, and will continue to leach out noticeable bits of the paint's pigment and color, lightening the grips as much as possible. I've removed finish and other contaminants and crud from checkered walnut grips by immersing the grips in a mason jar full of stripper (thus, a mini strip tank) overnight, cleaning them up, and repeating to lighten them. This process won't affect the natural color of the wood, only removes the non-wood that makes them look crappy. Be careful to use a soft bristle toothbrush with the grain of the checkering (basically 2 sets of parallel vees, oriented at about 30 degrees from each other, and about 15 degrees, each way, from a line that is parallel to the lengthwise center line of the grip) to avoid removing any points still left on the pattern. Don't scrub. Clean the brush frequently. Rinse with acetone when it the bulky goo is gone, brushing lightly. I can't make a call as to how effective refreshing the checkering towards the bottoms of the grips would be; I hope Hugh will comment. He can also recommend a stain that could, if necessary, help even out the color. Then it would be all sealed up with the oil Doug recommends. I think these projects are fun; good luck! David Parker __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

02-18-2013, 06:43 PM	#5
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	The right grip looks good, the left grip looks like it has been receckered already. Nothing can be done about the chip at the bottom of the left grip, and I wouldn't worry about the missing checkering at the bottom of the right grip. If you want to stain them after cleaning, I recommend Laurel Mountain Forge Antique Wood Stain "American Walnut" from Brownells or Midway. __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*

02-17-2013, 04:44 PM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	These are in nice shape and can certainly be saved. Paint stripper will not overly damage wood and if you apply and remove it judiciously, you should find nice wood underneath. Once the paint is removed, you will want to treat the wood with an oil like Tung or linseed that will nourish it again.

02-17-2013, 08:28 PM	#4
PEB Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 78 Thanks: 2 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Thank you for the replies!!! It looks like I will do a little shopping tomorrow and get to work. I'll post some additional pics after the restoration process is complete. Thanks again for taking the time to reply and help a new member!!!