Removing Varnish

[Death from Afar]

Hey guys- about to pick up a nice DWM 1914 Luger ( all matching save the magazine- there is a shock), regimental stamp, nice). At some stage of the past 100 years someone varnished the grips, which match. Aside from that the pistol is a good example. Is it worth trying to get the varnish off, or simply not take the risk of damaging them and get a replacement set? They look pretty horrible.

 

[lamarw]

It does not sound like you have much to loose. I would try denatured alcohol with 0000 steel wool followed by paper towels or cloth with denatured alcohol.

 

[Old Stony]

I've had good luck with those kind of projects using Fornby's finish remover and a soft stainless brush. Haven't done any damage to any wood yet....

 

[mapsjanhere]

High grade 91% rubbing alcohol and soft nylon brush for starters. If that doesn't cut it, some methylene chloride/NMP paint stripper.

 

[Doyle]

Citri-strip is very mild. I've removed several stock finishes with it. I use a toothbrush to get into the checkering.

 

[wogpotter]

High grade 91% rubbing alcohol and soft nylon brush for starters.

Worked for me flawlessly.
It will dry the wood 100%though, be prepared to re oil.

 

[jdscholer]

I'm another vote for Citri-Strip. I've been lovin the stuff. Depending on the finish, you can brush it on, let it dry, and brush off the white powder. Easy on the wood, easy on the senses. jd

 

[dakota.potts]

I stripped the shellac from my Mosin with a couple applications of denatured alcohol and paper towels. I had sand paper and steel wool ready, but the alcohol ended up taking care of it with none of that necessary

 

[Huffmanite]

Old Stony's suggestion of Formbys Finish Remover is a good one, except he may be thinking of Formby's Finish Restorer product. The Restorer will dissolve/soften old varnish that you can wipe off with steel wool, cloth and etc. It will lighten the blackened old varnish and depending on how much you work the solution, how much of the original varnish will be left on the wood. I've used it in the past on very old furniture with very good results. Generally, you can leave enough of the original varnish on the wood without needing to apply fresh varnish, because the formbys has cleaned the blackened varnish and literally restored it to back what it basically looked like when new.

 

[Death from Afar]

Good suggestions, thanks boys. Didn't go ahead with the Luger, when I took the side plate off the "all matching gun" ...wasn't.