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Thread: Removing paint from lettering?

  1. #1
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    Removing paint from lettering?

    Colt LE 6920. I received it used and it has paint in the lettering. It doesn't look bad but if there is a way to remove it without discoloring the finish I would rather remove it.

  2. #2
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    acetone, toothpick, and a sams club/costco pack of cheap stiff tooth brushes... theres not a simple solution. can substitute the acetone with a number of things, the tooth brushes with random nylon brushes... but you will have to scrub some.

  3. #3
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    If it feels like wax, try a blow dryer. If not acetone, as said, or MEK, or brake or carb cleaner should work nicely. Soak, soak, soak, then scrub. The stuff evaporates quickly and a small trickle will keep it wet and allow it to soak in so you can wipe it off easier. Good luck

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    Keeping in mind that acetone/MEK will also take off the factory finish, apply only to the areas that you're looking to remove the color fill from.

    If you can't chip it out with a toothpick/dental pick I'd paint over it.
    You dig your grave with your fork.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by jwperry View Post
    Keeping in mind that acetone/MEK will also take off the factory finish, apply only to the areas that you're looking to remove the color fill from.

    If you can't chip it out with a toothpick/dental pick I'd paint over it.

    What? Since when does acetone remove anodizing?

  6. #6
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    Since I did the same thing once to a lower; soaked a rag in acetone and wiped the color fill out, the black dye wiped off with it.
    You dig your grave with your fork.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by lightestfighter View Post
    What? Since when does acetone remove anodizing?
    The milspec finish is a Class III, Type 2 Anodizing. Class III means it's the hardest and deepest Anodizing. The Anodizing process itself does nothing to add color to the aluminum except to turn it a very dull grey. Type 2 means they use a dye to color the surface. The usual color used to dye AR receivers is black. If it were a Type 1 finish, no dye would be used and the aluminum would be the aforementioned dull grey.

    So, while the acetone will not remove the anodizing, it may remove the dye
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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by williamN View Post
    Colt LE 6920. I received it used and it has paint in the lettering. It doesn't look bad but if there is a way to remove it without discoloring the finish I would rather remove it.
    Try "Goof Off". It's been very successful for me on a variety of paint removal projects.

  9. #9
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    What kind of crap guns are you guys buying that acetone changes the color of the anodizing?!

    Just about every de-greaser on the firearms market...which pretty much universally contain acetone and toluene...will more than likely be able to take off the type of paint typically used to fill in lettering. Don't over think it. If the surface looks gray afterwards from the solvent evaporating, rub a little oil on it and wipe it off. You'll find it will return to a nice flat black.

    If by chance someone went fulldipshit and used a crayon...get a heat gun.
    Last edited by bp7178; 03-14-15 at 01:50.

  10. #10
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    Get some Motsenbocker's Graffiti Remover from Lowes.
    Lay the lower down and wet it up. Then put a paper towel over the area and soak it real good. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes.

    You may need to use a tooth brush depending on what type of paint was used but it will come out. Rinse off when done.

    It will not harm the original finish of the lower in any way.
    Scoby


    “Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.”Thomas Jefferson, quoting 18th century criminologist Cesare Beccaria in “On Crimes and Punishment”, 1764

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