Finishes: stripping old finish on an FAL kit

[fal_shooter]

I do not have access to a sandblaster or any other special tools except a dremel. The R1 kit has good finish on the barrel under the handguards but it is spotty elsewhere. What should I use the strip the metal so I can refinish it. Wire brush on my drill? Will paint stripper work? Does anyone know what kind of finish this is and how to get rid of it? Should I Moly or blue the parts after I strip them? If I Moly do I need to blue first? I originally got this Kit for spare parts but I know I will build it one day. I know I could send it off but I want to do this myself. I am also in the kit purchase and I read that the Imbel finish is also painted so I hope to apply the same techniques to the expensive kits after I paractice on the cheap one. Any suggestions would be appreciated. http://www.fnfal.com/forums/biggrin.gif

[ July 28, 2001: Message edited by: gary.jeter ]

[W.E.G.]

Originally posted by fal_shooter:
The R1 kit has good finish on the barrel under the handguards...What should I use the strip the metal...Does anyone know what kind of finish this is and how to get rid of it?

I' sure it has some official name. I call it Bulletproof. It just laughed at heavy duty oven cleaner. If you find any means other than abrasive, PLEASE let me know.

[camoguy]

Try boiling it in vinger but use a pot that you don't want to cook in.


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[twodog]

Muriatic acid will nuetralize parkerizing but be VERY careful, it won't hurt the parts but the fumes are a killer. Drop parts in and come back in a few minutes after it stops bubbling. It weakens the coating and you can take down to metal with fine steel wool - rinse with water first as it will burn the skin. I rise my parts as it makes sandblasting easier.
Never tried vinegar but it works for damn near everything, I'm gonna try it next time.

[camoguy]

I was shocked how well vinegar works.Now I use it to strip metal parts before I zinc or copper plate them. Watch out for the fumes when boiling they will knock you out.

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[MG-70]

Last night I stripped the epoxy finish on my P-35 with a paint stripper I got at Home Depot -- it was the only one that stated it would strip epoxy and polyurethane and it came in a spray can ($4) -- worked like a charm, clean application, cheap...left a light gray park.

Leave it on for about 20 minutes, scrape the thick stuff, steel wool, then wipe clean with a paper towel and repeat process.

Oh yeh, the stuff goes through rubber gloves so I recommend you use tongs, pliers are something to handle the piece you're working on.

Good luck,
MG-70

[BBBBill]

I just use the bead blaster at work or the local radiator shop.

[Aifwikir]

If your going to use Moly Resin you only need to remove the paint. Moly goes over the top of the existing finish. no need to reblue either.



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