Jeepcreep's method consists of using "Easy Off" oven cleaner to remove the finish.  Once the cleaner has loosened the old finish, wipe off with a clean dry cloth.  Then take regular Clorox Bleach, soak a clean cloth, and begin wiping off any residual cleaner.  The Clorox Bleach will give you a nice clean white wood finish to apply dye or stain.

The recipe for the RIT dye can be found in the AK Reference Forum.

Red Stain Formula

Note:  Make sure you remove the wood from the gas tube.  Don't try to tape it off and work around the metal.....Easy Off will remove the finish from the metal in a heart beat.....Also, be careful when you remove the wood from the gas tube.  The wood usually "adheres" itself to the gas tube because of the finish they put on the wood at the factory.  If you're not careful, you will snap the wood.

KF