Stripping wood and restaining

[Gunlove5656]

I recently purchased a firearm that had been painted and want to use some type of stripper on it to be able to restain it I’ve heard citrus stripper works well, on that note the piece of wood over the SKS gas tube I’ve heard is extremely difficult to remove anytime got any tips or tricks?

[KahrMan]

Calling @Snaveba

[10-Ring]

I've used citrus cleaner on several stock refinish jobs. Works pretty good, as in usually does about 80% of the work for you. Follow the directions on the bottle, I find it helpful to scrape with a credit card. 

[Snaveba]

Regarding removing the part from the SKS, I can’t help there. Depending upon what they used, you might get away with denatured alcohol. It works really well on poly finishes. I just wrap the piece is t-shirt rags and soak it with denatured alcohol until the finish is soft.  An old credit card or hotel card works to scrape it off.  Also steel wool  soaked it DA or acetone   

I have used citrus strip a couple times. Both were to remove old factory finishes (once on a Winchester and once one a Marlin). Same process to remove the soft finish. 

I have never worked on a Block country weapon so I am unfamiliar with what the finish should be. In any case, if you feel the need to sand, do it sparingly and DON’T use anything more coarse than 220. Even that will leave scratches that you will have to work out. Try 400 first and depending upon how smooth you want it, go 800 to 1000. 

Patience (of which I struggle) is your friend