Varnish/Stain Removal from Parkerized Receiver??

**kbcobra26** · December 28th, 2020, 10:35 AM

Any ideas on how to get this stain off??

I guess the previous owner thought it was a good idea to apply stain with a brush and not remove the stock...

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**Delkal** · December 28th, 2020, 10:59 AM

Mineral spirits should take it off the metal. If it doesn't wipe off gently use a toothbrush. The bigger problem is the stock. I would have to remove the shiny varnish and put on an oil finish back on. Without knowing if it is varnish or a poly finish it is hard to say what you need to take it off. I would first try mineral spirits, it should not take out any color. If you have to use ethanol some of the stain will be removed and you might have to redo it if you want a darker color.

Do some searches on how to apply a military oil finish and how to remove the shiny varnish. The CMP forums would be a good place to start.

**Noah_Zark** · December 28th, 2020, 11:22 AM

Remove the barreled action from the stock. A powerful solvent such as acetone or MEK will be needed to dissolve the crosslinked varnish/polymer. Wet some folded paper towels in solvent and "soak" the areas. Work outdoors. Use an old toothbrush to help work the solvent into the varnish film. DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL! Once the varnish is dissolved, you will need to repeatedly and liberally oil the parkerizing. I recommend Corrosion-X or Weapon Shield Oil.

Noah

**kbcobra26** · December 28th, 2020, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Noah_Zark

Remove the barreled action from the stock. A powerful solvent such as acetone or MEK will be needed to dissolve the crosslinked varnish/polymer. Wet some folded paper towels in solvent and "soak" the areas. Work outdoors. Use an old toothbrush to help work the solvent into the varnish film. DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL! Once the varnish is dissolved, you will need to repeatedly and liberally oil the parkerizing. I recommend Corrosion-X or Weapon Shield Oil.

Noah

Ok, thanks guys.

I'm gonna try some acetone and let it soak, testing a small area first.

**Rosco the Iroc** · December 28th, 2020, 11:41 AM

Yet he missed parts of the upper handguard.

Plastic brush only, tooth and then something stiffer but still not metal. I'd try nail polish remover first and work up to the stronger chems depending on results. My go-to is citistrip but I'd be worried about the finish.

**kbcobra26** · December 28th, 2020, 12:28 PM

Acetone and rubbing some oil into the receiver did a pretty damn good job, for me anyways.

Originally Posted by Rosco the Iroc

Yet he missed parts of the upper handguard.

Yeah, should I clean the handguard off while I'm at it? It doesn't look too good...

**Rosco the Iroc** · December 28th, 2020, 08:13 PM

boop there it is..
But wow the rest of the metal looks good.

**kbcobra26** · December 28th, 2020, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by Delkal

Mineral spirits should take it off the metal. If it doesn't wipe off gently use a toothbrush. The bigger problem is the stock. I would have to remove the shiny varnish and put on an oil finish back on. Without knowing if it is varnish or a poly finish it is hard to say what you need to take it off. I would first try mineral spirits, it should not take out any color. If you have to use ethanol some of the stain will be removed and you might have to redo it if you want a darker color.

Do some searches on how to apply a military oil finish and how to remove the shiny varnish. The CMP forums would be a good place to start.

Fixing the stock is next on the list, it looks horrible. Half of it is shiny and the other half is dull..