Indian Enfields / Refinishing

acarpenter · 03-27-2008, 11:25 AM

I am considering buying an Ishapore rifle if I can find one with pretty bore and decent wood. Is it possible to strip off that old nasty black paint they used on the metal and blue it? I don't really like how it looks, but have heard you can sometimes happen across a pretty good shooter. I would most likely refinish the wood too. haha.
aaron
Also considering going the Century Arms route when buying one. Any luck with them, or are they all mismatched and ugly and whatnot?

Big Dog · 03-27-2008, 06:03 PM

Yes, it strips right off.

acarpenter · 03-27-2008, 06:13 PM

any recommendations on the metal stripping?
favorite products?
also I have heard that certain wood finishes turn out better on guns than others...

jaybo · 03-27-2008, 06:13 PM

Many years ago I had a NO4 MK1 that when I got it had been partially sporterized, and cot very well. The barrel exterior was pretty rough, having a lot of lathe ridges, but the bore was great. I spent countless hours with emery cloth smoothing and polishing the barrel. I used a cold blue, I think it was Beachwoood Caseys, on it and was pretty pleased with the results. I later bought a nice commercial walnut Monte Carlo stock for it. Turned out to a very nice looking gun. Unfortunately, I ended up trading it in on a new rifle. I really regret doing it as it was a lot better gun than what I ended up with.

Plenty of patients and elbow grease and you can get reasonable results.

Texgunner · 04-01-2008, 10:43 AM

A few pics of my refinished 2A. I used Brownell's Aluma-Hyde II Parkerizing Gray.

acarpenter · 04-01-2008, 11:27 AM

That looks SHARP Tex!
Pretty easy process once you get the metal clean?
If you wouldn't mind, PM me with a condensed version of what you did!
And also, if you did anything to the wood.
Looks like you avoided the bolt sleeve... probably for good reason.

dkp9782 · 04-01-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acarpenter

I am considering buying an Ishapore rifle if I can find one with pretty bore and decent wood. Is it possible to strip off that old nasty black paint they used on the metal and blue it? I don't really like how it looks, but have heard you can sometimes happen across a pretty good shooter. I would most likely refinish the wood too. haha.
aaron
Also considering going the Century Arms route when buying one. Any luck with them, or are they all mismatched and ugly and whatnot?

i just got one, used carb cleaner (in the bucket ) on the metal, and easy off oven cleaner on the wood. Used it coupla years ago on my 308 ishy also

acarpenter · 04-02-2008, 11:00 AM

Will there be any difference if I just decide to get a .303 enfield instead? I believe almost all of those have a regular blue finish, not the paint. Would I need to get all the old blue off and recoat with whatever? I just don't know if I want to add but another different ammo that I will have to buy, because I already have a .303.

*Anyone know if there is much accuracy difference between the .303 and .308 enfields? I tend to like the features on the pre 1950s ones typically, and those .308 Ishapores are about as much in price. (and way uglier before refinish)

mdj696 · 04-02-2008, 03:44 PM

I have a Mark III Ishy, FR 1946, with parkerizing fininsh under black paint. Paint job was really bad. Used lacquer thinner and 00 steel wool. Took some time but got paint off without ruining the parkerizing. For the furniture I use Crown paint and varnish remover, let it set about 1 hour and hose it off with hot water. light sanding 220 grit, then 00 steel wool for smooth finish. finish with boiled linseed oil.

acarpenter · 04-03-2008, 11:08 AM

Do you have a pic mdj696?
I am trying to decide what I want to do.

timberlord · 04-07-2008, 07:28 AM

With the two Ishy's I have , the metal finish is great . No gobs of black paint , but more like black hard grease .
The Mklll* metal parts has a paint-like coating , (suncorite ? ) thin and nicely done.
This is a '45 GRI - FTR '53 by BSA

The '68 2A1 looked like a big black wax pole went I bought it. Hard , dark dried grease covered it , and cosmo shoved deep to where the sun don't shine. But under all that guck...

IMHO
I'd take a paint stipper ( for antique furniture) and dab off the paint and see what the original finish is . Not going much more abrasive than a scotchbrite pad and "try" not to rush it.
As far as the actual metal finish , it would have to be something pretty wrong before I'd take it off. Most likely just clean 'n oil and leave as is. I think that bit'o grey shows character and a fresh new finish isn't going to help it shoot any better

Turk mauser

acarpenter · 04-07-2008, 06:25 PM

I like the way you think, when it comes to gun character. I don't guess it matters how pretty the metal is. I think the only one I really was considering doing that too was one of the Ishapores from 64-65 in .308. Now I think I might just stick to the older ones in effort to keep the variance in ammos I have to buy to a minimum.

I am trying to decide between a wire wrap No.1, a savage, a longbranch or what have you no 4s to go along with my No.4 Fazakerly.

Love the wood on your second pic Timber

timberlord · 04-07-2008, 07:42 PM

Thx ,
It's Luan Mahogany

irish murphy · 04-08-2008, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texgunner

A few pics of my refinished 2A. I used Brownell's Aluma-Hyde II Parkerizing Gray.

That is a nice looking finish tex.It almost looks like a slight sand/bead blast finish.Very good mate

03-27-2008, 11:25 AM	#1
acarpenter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 332	Indian Enfields / Refinishing I am considering buying an Ishapore rifle if I can find one with pretty bore and decent wood. Is it possible to strip off that old nasty black paint they used on the metal and blue it? I don't really like how it looks, but have heard you can sometimes happen across a pretty good shooter. I would most likely refinish the wood too. haha. aaron Also considering going the Century Arms route when buying one. Any luck with them, or are they all mismatched and ugly and whatnot?

03-27-2008, 06:03 PM	#2
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,219	Yes, it strips right off. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

04-07-2008, 07:28 AM	#11
timberlord Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 299	With the two Ishy's I have , the metal finish is great . No gobs of black paint , but more like black hard grease . The Mklll* metal parts has a paint-like coating , (suncorite ? ) thin and nicely done. This is a '45 GRI - FTR '53 by BSA The '68 2A1 looked like a big black wax pole went I bought it. Hard , dark dried grease covered it , and cosmo shoved deep to where the sun don't shine. But under all that guck... IMHO I'd take a paint stipper ( for antique furniture) and dab off the paint and see what the original finish is . Not going much more abrasive than a scotchbrite pad and "try" not to rush it. As far as the actual metal finish , it would have to be something pretty wrong before I'd take it off. Most likely just clean 'n oil and leave as is. I think that bit'o grey shows character and a fresh new finish isn't going to help it shoot any better Turk mauser __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...LongStamp1.jpg Last edited by timberlord; 04-07-2008 at 07:44 AM.

04-07-2008, 07:42 PM	#13
timberlord Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 299	Thx , It's Luan Mahogany __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...LongStamp1.jpg

03-27-2008, 06:13 PM	#3
acarpenter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 332	any recommendations on the metal stripping? favorite products? also I have heard that certain wood finishes turn out better on guns than others...

03-27-2008, 06:13 PM	#4
jaybo Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Goshen, IN Posts: 48	Many years ago I had a NO4 MK1 that when I got it had been partially sporterized, and cot very well. The barrel exterior was pretty rough, having a lot of lathe ridges, but the bore was great. I spent countless hours with emery cloth smoothing and polishing the barrel. I used a cold blue, I think it was Beachwoood Caseys, on it and was pretty pleased with the results. I later bought a nice commercial walnut Monte Carlo stock for it. Turned out to a very nice looking gun. Unfortunately, I ended up trading it in on a new rifle. I really regret doing it as it was a lot better gun than what I ended up with. Plenty of patients and elbow grease and you can get reasonable results.

04-01-2008, 10:43 AM	#5
Texgunner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: the county seat of Milam county Texas Posts: 3	A few pics of my refinished 2A. I used Brownell's Aluma-Hyde II Parkerizing Gray.

04-01-2008, 11:27 AM	#6
acarpenter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 332	That looks SHARP Tex! Pretty easy process once you get the metal clean? If you wouldn't mind, PM me with a condensed version of what you did! And also, if you did anything to the wood. Looks like you avoided the bolt sleeve... probably for good reason.

04-02-2008, 11:00 AM	#8
acarpenter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 332	Will there be any difference if I just decide to get a .303 enfield instead? I believe almost all of those have a regular blue finish, not the paint. Would I need to get all the old blue off and recoat with whatever? I just don't know if I want to add but another different ammo that I will have to buy, because I already have a .303. *Anyone know if there is much accuracy difference between the .303 and .308 enfields? I tend to like the features on the pre 1950s ones typically, and those .308 Ishapores are about as much in price. (and way uglier before refinish)

04-02-2008, 03:44 PM	#9
mdj696 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 265 Images: 1	I have a Mark III Ishy, FR 1946, with parkerizing fininsh under black paint. Paint job was really bad. Used lacquer thinner and 00 steel wool. Took some time but got paint off without ruining the parkerizing. For the furniture I use Crown paint and varnish remover, let it set about 1 hour and hose it off with hot water. light sanding 220 grit, then 00 steel wool for smooth finish. finish with boiled linseed oil.

04-03-2008, 11:08 AM	#10
acarpenter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 332	Do you have a pic mdj696? I am trying to decide what I want to do.

04-07-2008, 06:25 PM	#12
acarpenter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 332	I like the way you think, when it comes to gun character. I don't guess it matters how pretty the metal is. I think the only one I really was considering doing that too was one of the Ishapores from 64-65 in .308. Now I think I might just stick to the older ones in effort to keep the variance in ammos I have to buy to a minimum. I am trying to decide between a wire wrap No.1, a savage, a longbranch or what have you no 4s to go along with my No.4 Fazakerly. Love the wood on your second pic Timber