Gunsmithing Removing bedding compound from action and barrel

[flyfisherman246]

When I bed an action into a stock, I tape off most of the stock and exposed metal for easy clean up. Once the tape is removed, i used acetone or break cleaner on a rack to wipe up the extra from the stock and barreled action while it is still wet. This works really well except for the very small line of Marine-Tex that usually sticks to the barreled action right at the stock line. With a barreled action that is about to be blasted and cerakoted, this is no big deal, but what if it has already been cerakoted or has a nice blued or stainless finish that you don't want to be scraping marine tex off of?
Thanks

 

[Wannashootit]

Instead of a harsh solvent that may damage the metal finish (and the stock if it's composition/finish isn't solvent proof), try denatured alcohol on the cotton swabs to clean up the stock line. Never had an issue with it.

 

[Stooxie]

I can't quite picture what you mean. I use the clear Kiwi shoe polish on all metal parts exposed to the bedding (I also use Marine Tex) and I've never had any bedding stick. Are you getting something stuck to metal that has not been coated with release agent?

-Stooxie

 

[flyfisherman246]

I coat all the metal in release agent, and I wipe all the extra epoxy off that I can see/reach. When I pull the action out of the stock, right at the stock line, there is usually a very thin line of marine tex that breaks off the top of the bedding and sticks to the metal. I have to take a razor and scrape it off, which is fine if I'm cerakoting, but not if its a finished action.

 

[jzwolen]

I skim-bedded a few finished barreled actions before with MarineTex. I let the excess ooze out, scrap up with a sharp-pointed stick/cardboard, etc, then clean the excess with a q-tip dipped in wd40. cleans right up.

 

[LRI]

Squirt em down with this, tap the funk off with a wooden hammer handle.

EASY.


The best release agent I've ever used:

 

[Easy_E]

Like others have said get rid of the harsh cleaners or don't use any at all. I kept getting chipping along the top and epoxy sticking to the action when using cleaners. your wiping the release agent off with them.
It you cut a paint stick and reduce the amount of goop out side the stock its easier straighten the top edge with a file with the action out.

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

Pop cycle stick reshaped with a chisel edge. May need a bit of heat with a propane torch but no big deal.