doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Fox Sterlingworth question

I recently bought a 12 ga. fox sterlingworth with untouched screws and and a very tight action. Unfortunately, or fortunately, someone since 1917 has coated the barrels and action with varnish. Under this aging brown mess, the barrel blue seems to be very well preserved. Can anyone tell me what the best way to get this stuff off without damaging the blueing? I have tried gunscrubber, nail polish remover, and acetone with little to no success.

Thanks,
Tom

Just about any oil, wax or varnish or lacquer will come off with acetone. Maybe it is shellac. Try denatured alcohol. It won't hurt bluing.

I have had good luck with spray carb cleaner. Spray some on a Q-tip and work a small area keeping it wet. You will soon know if it will cut it. If it works you can use somthing bigger and work a larger area.

KEEP IT OFF THE WOOD!!!

Good luck!

If you can get it, try MEK.

Lacquar Thinner. Take the metal off of the wood because it will dissolve any finish instantly. I've bought a gun that was varnished all over and I'm sure thats why the gun had no corrosion.

If you can find MEK (methyl ethyl ketone), use it it an EXTREMELY WELL VENTILATED AREA, LIKE OUTSIDE. MEK is toxic and a carcinogen, so take care.

Regards, Neil

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NO USE MEK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Follows are the suspected health hazard ratings for this deadly chemical.

Suspected: Cardiovascular or Blood Toxicant
Developmental Toxicant
Gastrointestinal or Liver Toxicant
Kidney Toxicant
Neurotoxicant
Reproductive Toxicant
Respiratory Toxicant
Skin or Sense Organ Toxicant

In two of the highest rated chemical hazard rating systems, this chemical is rated 2nd of the 10 most toxic compounds.

Again, please do not use it under any circumstances. ANYWHERE !!
Best,
John

Hey John ,I see that you are a LEG. Still a LOG myself. League or Ordinary Gentlemen. I think that the gentlemen is either probationary or a technical rank due to being a male. When I grow up, in another 50 years, I might be a LEG but for now I have to be proud of being a LOG.

Dang now I know whats wrong with me!!!! I used MEK on a near daily basis when I was bulding tape drives for TELEX in the 70's.

Ken

My dear friend:
There is no question , in my mind, that you, and so many others on this Board are LEGs.
When I first saw that this had been placed as my signature, I questioned the Board as to where it came from and the reason it was there.
I was told that it was an honor bestowed upon me by the Powers That Be.
I appreciate it greatly although wondering what I did to fool said Powers.
I chose to leave it there in an effort to demonstrate that such honor can be attained by any of us with the judicious use of chicanery.
Best,
John