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Author Topic: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock  (Read 6710 times)

mfharper

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Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« on: November 19, 2017, 05:32:56 PM »
I have a previously finished stock that I think is way to light. If I sand the stock down would aqua fortis work, or has that ship already sailed? Thanks!
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Offline SingleMalt

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2017, 05:49:18 PM »
If it has varnish on it, I'd strip it and lightly sand it to smooth it.  If it's just stained, you could probably apply AF directly over the stain.
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mfharper

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2017, 06:29:33 PM »
What type of stripper would you suggest?
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Offline SingleMalt

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2017, 06:57:16 PM »
Whatever is at Home Depot or the hardware.
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Never drink whisky that isn't old enough to vote.

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."- Plato

"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."

Dave Patterson

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2017, 07:35:37 PM »
I've done this several times on both maple and walnut, when first starting out with this addiction; would buy/trade for some factory production piece, strip it, do a little personal modification, sand it smooth, hit 'er with AF; refinish, and bolt it back together.

So:  yes. Hardware store paint stripper; wash it down well; touch-up sand; AF; refinish as desired.
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mfharper

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #5 on: November 19, 2017, 08:14:38 PM »
Thanks guys, I'm going to give this a try.
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Offline SingleMalt

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #6 on: November 19, 2017, 08:34:23 PM »
It's a piece of cake.  Think it through and take a step at a time.
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Never drink whisky that isn't old enough to vote.

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."- Plato

"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."

Offline Pukka Bundook

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #7 on: November 19, 2017, 10:44:45 PM »
If the piece has been finished with linseed oil it may prevent the Nitric working too well.   Won't hurt to try though.
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Offline FALout

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #8 on: November 20, 2017, 12:17:43 AM »
Depends on the finish as stated, do you know what's on there?  I personally hate using stripper, but it does work for most finish removal.  I've been lucky enough to just scrape the finish off with razor blade and go from there.
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Bob

mfharper

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #9 on: November 20, 2017, 12:41:29 AM »
kind of looks like an oil finish, but I don't think any stain was used before hand. It has a very light sheen so I guess it could have been some kind of poly finish.
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Offline Waksupi

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2017, 07:14:39 PM »
For really tough finishes, I use aircraft and boat stripper, from Sherwin Williams. It even takes off the tough Weatherby rifle finish.
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Ric Carter
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Offline dogcatcher

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #11 on: November 22, 2017, 01:33:34 AM »
If you have a furniture repair place near that does refinishing, ask what they charge for stripping the stock.  I had a local place that it was as cheap to let him strip the finish off as buying the supplies and then doing the work.  I could drop off one day, pick up the next afternoon, and it would be raw wood ready to work.   I think he charged me $10 plus tax. 
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Offline Dan Fruth

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #12 on: November 22, 2017, 04:48:38 AM »
Some finishes will dissolve with  50/50 mix of lacquer thinner and acetone. Hard finishes will require stripper. I have stripped and refinished several pieces, and have not had issues restaining with AF...Good luck
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Offline Pukka Bundook

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #13 on: November 22, 2017, 06:33:07 AM »
"Circa 1850  stripper" is very gentle, and doesn't need neutralising afterwards. Used it quite  a bit with no ill effects.
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Offline Scota4570

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #14 on: November 27, 2017, 11:26:06 PM »
Quote from: mfharper on November 19, 2017, 05:32:56 PM
I have a previously finished stock that I think is way to light. If I sand the stock down would aqua fortis work, or has that ship already sailed? Thanks!

Yes, it works fine.  I just reshaped a fore-end this weekend.  It was finished with layers of lacquer, BLO , soot, and slackum.  None of that penetrates very far.  About two strokes with #100 sandpaper in any given spot was plenty to remove the old finish.  I normally sand to #320 and follow with purple Scotchbrite.  The AQ worked the same as the first time I did the stock.  The new finish blended with the old remaining finish just fine. 

I don't use chemical strippers on this type of thing.  They are noxious and nasty.  They don't speed up the process vs just sanding.  Sometimes you end up with a gummy mess that is more work.  I did a fender skirt yesterday with some pretty strong stripper.  It was a nasty job.  IT stunk up the place.   I wore protective gear and still got a little on my cheek.  I then had to stop and wash up to stop the burning. 
« Last Edit: November 28, 2017, 02:59:24 AM by Scota4570 »
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mfharper

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #15 on: January 01, 2018, 11:26:53 PM »
Just to update, I sanded the stock with 220 grit after wiping down with Acetone. I did not use any stripper.Made some small modifiations to the grease hole, and added a muzzle cap.  I then refinised with Aqua Fortis followed by BLO. The Aqua Fortis is amazing! I'll definetly be using it again. I'm very appy with my results. I have a bunch more cotes of BLO to go, but here are some before and after shots.
Before:





After:










multiple photo upload
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Offline flehto

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #16 on: January 02, 2018, 04:56:20 PM »
A few builds ago I stained a BC stock w/ an alcohol based stain and it didn't look good after applying the finish. So.....I wet sanded the stock to bare wood and although the LMF sealer  remained in the wood, applied some "Super Stain" made by the  Wampler Chem Co and it did the job. This stain was used by John Bivins and I copied his procedure of wet sanding.   The "super Stain" penetrates any finish that's still in the wood. Too bad this stain is no longer produced.

The top pic is the before and the bottom pic is the redo......Fred



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mfharper

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #17 on: January 10, 2018, 07:31:34 PM »
Quote from: flehto on January 02, 2018, 04:56:20 PM
A few builds ago I stained a BC stock w/ an alcohol based stain and it didn't look good after applying the finish. So.....I wet sanded the stock to bare wood and although the LMF sealer  remained in the wood, applied some "Super Stain" made by the  Wampler Chem Co and it did the job. This stain was used by John Bivins and I copied his procedure of wet sanding.   The "super Stain" penetrates any finish that's still in the wood. Too bad this stain is no longer produced.

The top pic is the before and the bottom pic is the redo......Fred




I think the before and after look very good. Of course with the curl in that wood it's hard to screw up. Very nice gun!
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Offline Pukka Bundook

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Re: Aqua Fortis on previously finished stock
« Reply #18 on: January 10, 2018, 09:56:22 PM »
That's a lovely re-do, Fred.  very nice!
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