Removing old paint job from lower?

**Cole125** · 10-13-2012, 13:25

Here's the deal, buddy of mine has a older well worn Olympic Arms CAR15 with a crappy paint job on it.

He wants me to refinish and rebuild the lower for him, and then build him another upper.

My question is, what is the most time efficient way to remove a crusty old paint job off a lower?

Thanks

iceburg · 10-13-2012, 13:29

Just a wild guess, but I believe the judicious use of some sort of abrasive blaster would do it.

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M&P15T · 10-13-2012, 13:48

I foolishly painted the lower of my AR with Krylon a few years back. I used some gel type paint remover from Lowes to remove it, and it didn't even hurt the phosphate finish on it, looks good as new.

Took some time, but if you are going to re-paint it, removing the old paint may not even be necessary. Just do a good base coat over the old paint. Or remove as much as of the old paint as necessary without going over-board in the cracks and crevices.

ak103k · 10-13-2012, 15:31

As long as the paint isnt one of the "permanent" types, something like Gun Scrubber, or even Hoppes, will often take it off without to much trouble. Its mostly what I use when I do strip the paint off. A stiff toothbrush, Q Tips, and in some cases (probably not this one though), steel wool, will make things go quicker, and with better results.

WoodenPlank · 10-13-2012, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceburg

Just a wild guess, but I believe the judicious use of some sort of abrasive blaster would do it.

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It'll also strip the upper layer of anodizing.

OP, I've had good luck with copious amounts of paint thinner (keep away from plastic bits) on a clean cotton rag and some elbow grease.

samuse · 10-13-2012, 16:29

Aircraft remover and/or acetone. And some elbow grease.

**Cole125** · 10-13-2012, 19:29

I'll give paint thinner a try, hopefully it works. It's a 20 year old rifle, with a paint job that could be that old. I have no idea what type of paint it is either.

***WayaX*** · 10-13-2012, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by M&P15T

I foolishly painted the lower of my AR with Krylon a few years back. I used some gel type paint remover from Lowes to remove it, and it didn't even hurt the phosphate finish on it, looks good as new.

Took some time, but if you are going to re-paint it, removing the old paint may not even be necessary. Just do a good base coat over the old paint. Or remove as much as of the old paint as necessary without going over-board in the cracks and crevices.

Follow this. Lowes sells an orange gel that I've used to strip paint from an entire rifles. It just takes elbow grease. Do not blast it!

AK_Stick · 10-13-2012, 20:04

Go to any local auto parts store, and buy a couple cans of aircraft paint remover, in either the regular paint can, or the spray can, and presto, gun will become un-painted, but not damage the anodizing.

Mayhem like Me · 10-13-2012, 22:34

I did this 2 days ago.
Go to home depot get a can of spray Kleen strip.
Get a good pair of rubber gloves goggles and a toothbrush .
spray on thick let sit for 20 minutes hit with high pressure garden hose and scrub with brush it all. Comes off.

Trust me on this it was very easy.

**Hour13** · 10-13-2012, 22:37

Carb Cleaner!

Had a couple beverages, decided I was tired of the tiger-stripes...

Then realized the next day I kinda liked the old paintjob...

LOL.

**Cole125** · 10-13-2012, 22:41

Hour13, your a funny guy!

Thanks for the tip.

WoodenPlank · 10-13-2012, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hour13

Carb Cleaner!

Had a couple beverages, decided I was tired of the tiger-stripes...
LOL.

[Bugs]What a marooon....[/Bugs]

**Hour13** · 10-13-2012, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodenPlank

[Bugs]What a maroon....[/Bugs]

Lol, most people who talk to me spell it different I think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole125

Hour13, your a funny guy!

Thanks for the tip.

I does what I can brother.

**NeverMore1701** · 10-13-2012, 23:20

I've been thinking about painting my Noveske on and off since I got it a couple of years ago, might actually do it next week. Never tried painting any kind of pattern before, but if it's fairly easy to get off, I'll give it a shot. The carb cleaner doesn't mess up poly parts (PG, stock, HGs)?

smokin762 · 10-13-2012, 23:21

I went to Home Depot and bought Green Strip Brand paint remover. It's a gel in a squirt bottle. It removes Paint, Epoxy and Varnish. I also used an M16 cleaning brush.

I used it to remove the factory paint on my Ruger 10/22. It stripped it down to the bare surface. It will not harm the anodizing finish. I tried it on a scope mount and it never hurt it.

Don't forget to wear gloves.

**Hour13** · 10-13-2012, 23:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeverMore1701

I've been thinking about painting my Noveske on and off since I got it a couple of years ago, might actually do it next week. Never tried painting any kind of pattern before, but if it's fairly easy to get off, I'll give it a shot. The carb cleaner doesn't mess up poly parts (PG, stock, HGs)?

No, but it does take awhile to get the paint off the plastic stuff. I wouldn't leave it on there, just spray it into your rag, and scrub away.

Cleans up the anodized surfaces like nobody's business though. Wipe with soaked rag, then dry rag. Easy-peezy.

FYI, I use plastic/vinyl dye instead of regular paint. It is easier to remove(except from plastic, duh) if you don't like it, and yet it's more durable than paint. It doesn't chip, just gradually wears thin if you're really rough on the gun.

Actually looks pretty cool the more it wears down.

...

But I'm kinda weird like that.

**NeverMore1701** · 10-13-2012, 23:59

Got a link to this dye? I'll probably just try krylon at first, but I'm open to other methods.

ak103k · 10-14-2012, 06:50

Ive always used Testors, and just recently, some Krylon on my guns. Testors Military Flats have been around forever, and come in pretty much any color you need to match a camo pattern.

They will come completely off (with some work) and no damage to the gun underneath. Basic Krylon has too, but I probably wouldnt use the "Fusion" version on plastics.

These were painted about 30 years ago now in the old ASAT pattern using Testors. I stripped the 1100 a couple of years ago and swapped out the stock.

Looked like this then (the Mossberg still does)....

Now....

Ive painted and completely removed the paint off my MP5 a number of times over the years, as well as a number of other guns, and never had any troubles. As I said earlier, a can of Gun Scrubber, and or some Hoppes, was all I ever used. The toothbrush is pretty much a necessity with "grainy" surfaces, like park, some anodized aluminum, and plastics. 0000 steel wool is a big help on smooth steel.

**Hour13** · 10-14-2012, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeverMore1701

Got a link to this dye? I'll probably just try krylon at first, but I'm open to other methods.

It's krylon also, "Krylon Fusion". You can get it at WalMart with all the other rattle-cans.