Grip rejuvination

carver32 · 03-02-2016, 04:42 PM

I don't know if anyone else would care for this grip appearance but here's what I did to an old, dark grimy pair of grips.
After soaking in aircraft stripper I scrubbed them with a toothbrush then washed them with warm water & soap. The water will cause them to swell so they must be air-dried for 3-4 days or until they fit.
I coated them on both sides w/Smiths Clear Penetrating Epoxy(CPES), which is almost as thin as water, therefore soaking into the wood. I applied 2 coats on the back & 4 on the front. This will dimensionally stabilize them & they can no longer retain dirt, grease or body oil.
Roger

carver32 · 03-02-2016, 04:45 PM

The first pic is of my Krieghoff grips which I didn't want to leave on this gun

sheepherder · 03-02-2016, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carver32

The first pic is of my Krieghoff grips which I didn't want to leave on this gun

Looks like the backside of a pair of brown Bakelite grips...

kurusu · 03-03-2016, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Looks like the backside of a pair of brown Bakelite grips...

That's because it is the backside of a pair of brown Bakelite grips from a Krieghoff.

Edward Tinker · 03-03-2016, 04:55 AM

Always. Interesting to hear what folks try on grips.

There are several other heads on this same subject, if. You want some other opinions or thoughts.

mrerick · 03-03-2016, 10:15 AM

What is "aircraft stripper"?

i was with you up to the epoxy (which is something that was not available when Lugers were made).

I have used hand rubbed dilute boiled linseed oil as a final finish. You take BLO and dilute it one part mineral spirits to two parts BLO, and then apply it with a cotton ball. It has to be rubbed into the surface by hand since the heat of the friction is what helps melt it into the wood's pores. Multiple coats are needed, with a light burnishing with 0000 steel wool in between.

Marc

Mac Cat · 03-03-2016, 10:29 AM

Laquer Thinner should be enough.
It will evaporate without any water rinse needed.

Soaking in water isn't a good idea, unless it's teak.

Hope you didn't get into the MEK or something more toxic!
Even with gloves, its nasty stuff. (I used to repaint commercial planes)

Sergio Natali · 03-03-2016, 11:19 AM

In the past I did several experiments, now I only use an old dry nylon toothbrush, after all stocks should match the general condition of the pistol.

carver32 · 03-03-2016, 01:05 PM

Aircraft stripper is a thick, ammonia-based chemical used to remove paint or varnish, available at any hardware or automotive paint store. The stripper is caustic so must be neutralized afterward w/soap & water, which will not hurt the wood at all, other than the aforementioned swelling.

rhuff · 03-03-2016, 01:14 PM

I have been using this stripper for many years, and it does a very nice job on paint, as well as wood finishes that one wishes to remove. It is a caustic rascal, and gloves are a must!!

Caferacer · 03-06-2016, 10:31 PM

I leave the aircraft stripper for the really tough jobs
and have had good results with citrusstrip,
much more pleasant to work with

Eugen · 04-10-2016, 06:24 PM

Fascinating thread on grip refinishing. I would have thought most commercial stripers would be too strong for these delicate wooden grips. Being new here I have so much to learn. Fortunately my grips are in pretty decent condition. I think I will let them alone.

Olle · 04-10-2016, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caferacer

I leave the aircraft stripper for the really tough jobs
and have had good results with citrusstrip,
much more pleasant to work with

Citristrip is my favorite, it smells good, doesn't burn your skin and it will strip just about everything. I used to use the caustic strippers, but they are very nasty to work with and don't really work any better than Citristrip.

DavidJayUden · 04-10-2016, 10:01 PM

A few drops of Japan Dryer helps the drying process of the BLO and thinner.
dju

CAP Black · 04-10-2016, 10:38 PM

I just learned two things. I am grateful.
Jack

03-02-2016, 04:42 PM	#1
carver32 User Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 17 Thanks: 12 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Grip rejuvination I don't know if anyone else would care for this grip appearance but here's what I did to an old, dark grimy pair of grips. After soaking in aircraft stripper I scrubbed them with a toothbrush then washed them with warm water & soap. The water will cause them to swell so they must be air-dried for 3-4 days or until they fit. I coated them on both sides w/Smiths Clear Penetrating Epoxy(CPES), which is almost as thin as water, therefore soaking into the wood. I applied 2 coats on the back & 4 on the front. This will dimensionally stabilize them & they can no longer retain dirt, grease or body oil. Roger Attached Thumbnails

03-03-2016, 04:55 AM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Always. Interesting to hear what folks try on grips. There are several other heads on this same subject, if. You want some other opinions or thoughts. __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

03-03-2016, 10:15 AM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	What is "aircraft stripper"? i was with you up to the epoxy (which is something that was not available when Lugers were made). I have used hand rubbed dilute boiled linseed oil as a final finish. You take BLO and dilute it one part mineral spirits to two parts BLO, and then apply it with a cotton ball. It has to be rubbed into the surface by hand since the heat of the friction is what helps melt it into the wood's pores. Multiple coats are needed, with a light burnishing with 0000 steel wool in between. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

03-03-2016, 11:19 AM	#8
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	In the past I did several experiments, now I only use an old dry nylon toothbrush, after all stocks should match the general condition of the pistol. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

03-02-2016, 04:45 PM	#2
carver32 User Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 17 Thanks: 12 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The first pic is of my Krieghoff grips which I didn't want to leave on this gun

03-03-2016, 10:29 AM	#7
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 675 Thanks: 2,021 Thanked 545 Times in 294 Posts	Laquer Thinner should be enough. It will evaporate without any water rinse needed. Soaking in water isn't a good idea, unless it's teak. Hope you didn't get into the MEK or something more toxic! Even with gloves, its nasty stuff. (I used to repaint commercial planes)

03-03-2016, 01:05 PM	#9
carver32 User Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 17 Thanks: 12 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Aircraft stripper is a thick, ammonia-based chemical used to remove paint or varnish, available at any hardware or automotive paint store. The stripper is caustic so must be neutralized afterward w/soap & water, which will not hurt the wood at all, other than the aforementioned swelling.

03-03-2016, 01:14 PM	#10
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,272 Thanks: 2,692 Thanked 959 Times in 705 Posts	I have been using this stripper for many years, and it does a very nice job on paint, as well as wood finishes that one wishes to remove. It is a caustic rascal, and gloves are a must!!

03-06-2016, 10:31 PM	#11
Caferacer User Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 60 Thanks: 96 Thanked 25 Times in 13 Posts	I leave the aircraft stripper for the really tough jobs and have had good results with citrusstrip, much more pleasant to work with

04-10-2016, 06:24 PM	#12
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 768 Thanks: 371 Thanked 602 Times in 320 Posts	Fascinating thread on grip refinishing. I would have thought most commercial stripers would be too strong for these delicate wooden grips. Being new here I have so much to learn. Fortunately my grips are in pretty decent condition. I think I will let them alone.

04-10-2016, 10:01 PM	#14
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	A few drops of Japan Dryer helps the drying process of the BLO and thinner. dju

04-10-2016, 10:38 PM	#15
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 168 Times in 96 Posts	I just learned two things. I am grateful. Jack