Easiest way to remove paint off AR15? (Paint Removed, PICS inside)

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Easiest way to remove paint off AR15? (Paint Removed, PICS inside)

Posted: 5/1/2017 10:05:58 PM EDT

I'm having a heck of a time removing this green paint off this AR. Any suggestions (other than professional removal/cerakote)?

Here is a picture:

Armalite M15 by BosanaCZ, on Flickr

Posted: 5/1/2017 9:44:31 PM EDT

[#1]

Citristrip.

Posted: 5/1/2017 9:48:48 PM EDT

[#2]

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Citristrip.

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Any experience? Gel or spray?

Posted: 5/1/2017 10:08:34 PM EDT

[#3]

Non Chlorinated brake cleaner is good too.

Just don't get any on the Eotech or Polymer parts.

Posted: 5/1/2017 10:12:59 PM EDT

[#4]

none chlorinated break cleaner works well, it will lighting the color of plastic though

Posted: 5/1/2017 10:14:55 PM EDT

[#5]

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none chlorinated break cleaner works well, it will lighting the color of plastic though

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Tried. Barely made a difference. And I did remove the handrail and eotech, upper and lower, etc..

Posted: 5/1/2017 10:18:45 PM EDT

[#6]

For paint without hardner and on plastic parts u can use paint thinner, mineral spirits, nail polish remover, etc. I've even used stuff like brake and carb cleaner to remove paint. For metal parts with or without hardner I sometimes use paint stripper.
This lower had duracoat on it for a few years. After a few minutes with paint stripper on it.

Posted: 5/1/2017 10:21:38 PM EDT

[#7]

Attached File

Worked like a charm on all the AR parts that I've stripped paint off of. Be careful, though, shit is caustic as fuck and it will burn the shit out of you if you get it on bare skin.

Posted: 5/1/2017 10:24:06 PM EDT

[#8]

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https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/294984/ab882198-a5f9-4487-833a-978a1222e47f-1000-199878.JPG

Worked like a charm on all the AR parts that I've stripped paint off of. Be careful, though, shit is caustic as fuck and it will burn the shit out of you if you get it on bare skin.

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How hard is it on plastic/polymer parts?

Posted: 5/1/2017 10:37:13 PM EDT

[#9]

If u need a stripper for plastics....

ETA: Can be found at your local auto parts store

Posted: 5/1/2017 10:38:37 PM EDT

[#10]

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How hard is it on plastic/polymer parts?

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I used something similar that was aircraft finish remover. Plastic parts with that were a-ok. I got most of the paint off, but definitely wear gloves and eye-pro as it will burn skin.

Posted: 5/1/2017 10:39:30 PM EDT

[#11]

This

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Jasco-17-oz-Liquid-Multi-Surface-Paint-Remover/3562712

Used it on a AR once.. Worked great

Posted: 5/1/2017 10:54:47 PM EDT

[#12]

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Quoted:
How hard is it on plastic/polymer parts?

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Quoted:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/294984/ab882198-a5f9-4487-833a-978a1222e47f-1000-199878.JPG

Worked like a charm on all the AR parts that I've stripped paint off of. Be careful, though, shit is caustic as fuck and it will burn the shit out of you if you get it on bare skin.

How hard is it on plastic/polymer parts?

Well, I did have it burn through a pair of standard latex gloves (that's how I figured out it burns like hell), but I have used it on a few polymer parts without any issue. It's not something I'd let sit on polymer parts for any extended period of time, but otherwise, you should be fine.

Posted: 5/2/2017 9:10:26 AM EDT

[#13]

Thanks. I'm goimg to try that stuff at lowes first.

Posted: 5/2/2017 9:26:34 AM EDT

[#14]

Acetone and a tooth brush to scrub with will make quick work of regular paint like Krylon.

Posted: 5/2/2017 9:37:46 AM EDT

[#15]

Brake fluid. The regular DOT3 cheap shit. If the parts too big to soak it, wrap it in a brake fluid soaked paper towel for an hour or more.

I've used it on a number of painted guns. It will screw up/lift wood finishes, so be careful on Fudd stuff.

ETA: in my experience it didn't hurt polymer furniture.

Posted: 5/2/2017 11:06:54 AM EDT

[#16]

Looks like a hot mess. Either you have a lot of hard work ahead of you to manually remove all that stuff, or you need to just break down and get some help. If it was me, I would completely disassemble it and work on the optics, synthetics, and metal separately. First the metal. If you can't strip the paint, then find someone with blasting capability, preferably something like 180 grit alum oxide at about 60-80 psi. On the synthetics, again if it strips, fine, if not blast. On the optics, This where I'd take my time and do it by hand. I'd just remove enough to get it down to base finish and/or ready for a re-coating. Completely mask and seal the optics. Use the chemicals sparingly. Lots of scotchbrite here. Then use any coating with a non-thermal set.

This is the down-side to weapons coating. When you get this kind of build-up to remove, it's a major re-furb. I don't screw with it; I break it all down and blast it. The only refurb I do on optics is to scotchbrite the existing coating to smooth or even it out, and then recoat.

Short answer: There is no easy way to remove this kind of build up, on metal, polymer, and optics.

Posted: 5/2/2017 3:06:20 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/294984/ab882198-a5f9-4487-833a-978a1222e47f-1000-199878.JPG

Worked like a charm on all the AR parts that I've stripped paint off of. Be careful, though, shit is caustic as fuck and it will burn the shit out of you if you get it on bare skin.

View Quote

This. I stripped a whole AR a few months ago using exactly this and you can't tell it was ever painted now. I think it was like $30 for a gallon, but well worth it to me.

Posted: 5/2/2017 6:50:28 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/294984/ab882198-a5f9-4487-833a-978a1222e47f-1000-199878.JPG

Worked like a charm on all the AR parts that I've stripped paint off of. Be careful, though, shit is caustic as fuck and it will burn the shit out of you if you get it on bare skin.

View Quote

This is what I used. Here is what I came up with in a short period of time. Stock needs more work, but it will be done.