Garand Stock Help

[MarineNCO26]

A friend of mine purchased an M1 form this lady for dirt cheap... The Metal Parts are all in great shape the only thing is the stock. The woman's husband refinished the stock and put a thick laquer on it and it is very hard to remove. If anyone has any suggestions it would be appreciated. The stock is in good shape otherwise and I can tell their are visible makers marks on it just hard to see with the thick paint. I have redone stocks before but this is quite a challenge for me.

P.S

If you are going to say sanding do not even respond!

 

[highorder]

Start with Citri-strip and some elbow length rubber gloves. If chemical stripper won't work, there is always the dishwasher method. If there is a woman that is partial to the dishwasher, you may have some negotiating to do...

 

[MarineNCO26]

Lol i did the dishwasher method and it didn't make a dent I shall try some different chemical strippers I guess. Thank you! And my wife just looked at me funny when I pulled an M1 stock out of the dishwasher.

 

[Onmilo]

I use Strip-Eze.
It will remove any kind of surface finish and is pretty inexpensive to boot.
Use in a well ventilated area for safeties sake.

 

[offthepaper]

powerwash maybe?
I've heard of some doing it for really tough jobs, but have never had to go more radical than the dishwasher myself (and yes, there are certain ramifications if caught). It does seem a chemical removal may be your best bet. I've used Zip-Strip on furniture, but never had to use it on a stock.

All that said, if it were mine, and as you stated the rifle was bought for a very good deal, I would spring for a nice new replacement stock. Since the metal is in good shape, it could be a real looker with a new set of lumber.

 

[latisimusd]

My M1 stock had a lot of lacquer on it and I cleaned it off with denatured alcohol, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware all carry quarts of it. Need gloves and well ventilated area.

 

[rondog]

You can always get a brand-new Boyd's walnut stock from Midway for around $110 or so.

 

[Swampy]

NCO,

If a solvent base stripper or denatured alcohol won't cut the stuff then it's probably an epoxy base coating. If so, a soak in pure acetone might do it.... but it will take SOAKING... not just a rubdown. You'll need a metal tub of some sort that will hold the acetone and the wood. Lacking that, you'll have to wrap the wood with rags and keep soaking them with the acetone till it starts disolving the epoxy. Needless to say.. do this outdoors.

If none of the above work... then I hate to say it, but it may not come off without some form of abrasive encouragement... i.e. sanding.

Best regards,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[wayne in boca]

Jasco paint & epoxy stripper,good stuff.I've stripped a lot of stocks with it,and they all came out great.

 

[Jeff F]

Formby's furniture refinisher will take off most oil and lacquer,varnish, shellac finishes with no damage to the wood. They also make an epoxy remover but I have never used it. If it is an epoxy coating you may have to get after it with the right stripper and some steel wool to break through the epoxy.

 

[ar10]

Don't us a power washer. It will dig out the soft grain and then you have a mess. Don't ask me how I know, Just don't do it.

 

[MarineNCO26]

Ok I used a chemical stripper on the front and rear hand gaurd and it worked nicely! The stock is next. The front hand guard came out a lighter wood that I would never of guessed was under there lol and the Rear hand guard was a nice dark walnut and I am hoping the stock is as well. It is looking great so far so Ill keep you posted. He wants it as a shooter but does not want it to look like a piece of garbage. I must tell you the metal parts look great and I didn't even realize but his serial numbers is only 42 off from mine...

Thank for the Help I will Try and post some Pics!

 

[ar10]

MarineNCO:
I have a Nov 42 issue, birch stock, all but two parts are original. Stock looks like crap but I wouldn't even consider changing it. It still shoots fine. I've seen a lot of different guns being shot, from brand NIB to some of the worst possible shape you can imagine. As long as it fires and gets on target it's a good gun, no matter what it looks like.
PS:
5th, 1st MarBrig. ret. (Too many years ago remember)

 

[MarineNCO26]

I started stripping the stock and with luck it is the same same dark walnut wood the rear hand guard is. Its looking good so far!

And Semper Fi! To my fellow Warriors out there!

 

[offthepaper]

MarineNCO26

We're going to need pics when you're done.
Thank you for your service.