M-1 cleanup

[staplegund]

Does anyone know what the best paint remover is for the metal parts on the recent batch of CMP Greek Garands?  They painted the gas cylinder and part of the barrel black, and I'd like to get that cheesy-looking paint off.  I'm afraid to use something that might ruin whatever is left of the original finish under the paint.  FWIW, after spending way too much time on the badly dinged, gouged, and oily and greasy stock, I've decided to buy a new CMP stock.  I just refinished an old Sako M39  and the stock on it was way easier and looks beautiful now.  I don't think it had enough cosmoline on it for more than 5 rifles, but this M1 stock is soaked through in several places.  I could have paid for the new stock with the $ spent on solvent.  Lesson learned, but I can still use the solvent.   

[mtmisfit]

try Brakleen brake cleaner. It usually takes paint off very well.

[SamD]

The original finish on gas cyls was paint. Then they took to dipping in MD2S
They are stainless and won't blue.  Most now are just oxidized a bit as your likely is under the paint.
Brakleeen and a bristle beush is fine as is any paint remover, even brake fluid. Paint it with MD2S (cable lube) afterwards to 'restore'

Bring it out Sunday, adn we'll try them out on some distance and see how they go    

[staplegund]

I took SamD's advice on the stock, and cleaned it good with MEK.    Now I'm a happy camper, and the $25 spent on MEK looks better than the 125 on a stock.