This is a repost from my thread on the AK forum, just trying to get some more opinions.

Hey all, I just got finished shooting with the new ALG AKT installed in my Bulgarian kit build. Let me start off by saying that I like the AKT alot more than the G2 that was previously installed. With that being said, it wasn't my best day...

As I was leaving the range I smelled something burning: AKSU 1 - Eberlestock 0


In taking apart my AK and cleaning it I use hot soapy water to get rid of the corrosive salts. Not thinking about it, I dropped the gas tube / upper handguard into the bucket of water. Well, apparently whatever the Bulgarians used doesn't agree with hot soapy water.




Does anyone know what I can use on the handguard to return it to all it's glory? Thanks,


Tom

The upper looks to be laminated, so you might be able to make it look really nice. I would hit the whole thing with Citristrip and remove that ugly finish. Depending on what is underneath, I would then apply a few coats of garnet shellac to the bare wood.

As for the booster, soak it in acetone and see what happens.

Bulgarians sometimes used a tinted shellac or paint on the lower to match the upper, or vice versa. Sometimes a nasty poop brown color.

Unfortunately you might find that the lower and upper won't match after refinishing. The lower is sometimes a very dense walnut that won't accept stain or oil very well, either. I've had two that just wouldn't take anything even after repeated cleaning.

As mentioned above, a darker tinted shellac is probably the best way to get a close to factory look. Better chance of matching the two parts using a darker tint.

The matching issue is indeed a concern. I was not even thinking that when recommending the shellac.

That said, shellac can bring two non-matching pieces of wood closer in color. Stain will often make things worse.

Get a hold of Zrecto on the AKforum.net.
Does great work.

Zrecto

You can do it yourself, under that brown paint is some really nicely grained wood. It almost looks like fancy walnut. I used my favorite Truoil to do it and it's very pretty.

This, although I use teakoil finish instead of tru-oil.  Cheaper and not as glossy.  

Directions here.

http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/notes/notes-finish/finish-wood/page-finish-wood.shtml

Hey, what is that stuff on the flash hider? I've never seen anything like that before.

I think the booster melted the inside of his case/bag.

Ouch. Looks like a job for a propane torch. But just thinking, who puts a hot gun into a bag? That barrel had to be smoking hot to do that. Oh, I know, the guy who drops his wood hand guards into hot, soapy water. Man, you better get a grip before you really screw up.

Take the upper wood off the gas tube. Use a stripper on both guards, lightly sand, apply some red/orange tinted shellac.