Need Grip Cleaning Help

[Dwight Gruber]

Just picked up a pretty nice 1911 Erfurt, but need somehelp with the grips. They appear to have been painted with a thick, glossy paint which has filled all the checker cuts.

I'm curious to know, what can I do to clean this mess off?

--Dwight

[ViggoG]

Dwight,
First you must determine if this is a paint or polymer.
Methyl Ketone will destroy most paints by removing all oils. (Available at most Hardware Stores)
Place the grips in a ziplock bag along with a half cup of Methyl Ketone Move all to one corner of the bag.
Fold and wrap the bag with string or bands,
Tape works too, to keep the grips submerged.
Place in a metal coffee can, glass, polyethylene, or similar container, to catch leaks (just in case)
Keep sumerged and soak for a day or two.
If it has not softened to a point where you can brush the goo out with an old tooth brush, it must be a polymer, and may have to be removed by Hugh or discarded. <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" />
This will remove all oils and appear to bleach the grips, have no fear the oils may be replaced by rubbing or brushing with an old tooth brush applying "boiled linseed oil".
I know of no solvents for polymers, Epoxys and such that are set with catalytic agents.
Best Luck.
ViggoG <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

[Edward Tinker]

Dwight, if it is "paint", then paint remover works, but is tough on wood at the same time. I like the environmentaly friendly orange colored stuff at wally world. Not as tough, put it on with a toothbrush and after 10 minutes rub on it. Less is better, but more than likely it will make them look almost new...

1911 Erfurt, let me see pictures! Only 10K made of them, more rare than others,

Ed

[Ron Wood]

I purchased a rare 1906 Russian contract in really nice condition except it had what appeared to be brown plastic grips. When I took off the grips to clean the gun, I discovered they were wood on the inside. With a lot of patience, a soft fiber brush, Q-tips, toothpicks and acetone I removed all the brown paint in about 3 hours. The up side is that the paint protected the checkering and they look excellent. They are also original and numbered to the gun.

[John Sabato]

I can't wait to see photos of that gem Ron... Sure wish you would get your house finished

[Herb]

Ron, quite a few years ago I bought a Winchester 88 and the previous owner had varnished the stock. I used Sear's Varnish and Epoxy remover on it, did a really good job and didn't do a thing to the wood. Consider this as an option.