Rifle Scopes Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

[elkkid3]

I have been stripping the DuraCoat of my NXS with Lacquer thinner. It was taking a lot of elbow grease. I talked too ARP and he suggested Gel stripper. I picked up some Citristrip, boy does that stuff work good. All you have too do is apply a thick coat over the DuraCoat and let it sit. The DuraCoat starts to wrinkle. Once it starts to wrinkle up just wipe it off with something. Looks good as new. Just thought I would help everyone out that wants to strip DuraCoat off a scope. It is a very easy way to do it. The stripping gel doesn't have any fumes what so ever.

Thanks ARP!

 

[Jer]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Where's the after pics?

 

[elkkid3]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Still stripping it. Will post a picture when done.

 

[Jer]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HuntinAZ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Still stripping it. Will post a picture when done. </div></div>

Solid copy. Patiently awaiting goodness.

 

[JFComfort]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Man thanks for the heads up! I've been thinking of stripping my rings.

 

[GunGuru727]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Cool...


Looks like boiling skin?

 

[elkkid3]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Almost done

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

can't wait to see the after pics, i've stripped a couple things, but not with the gel, and always had a milky looking haze left over

 

[Travis S]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

To get rid of the milky haze, use the citristrip afterwash. Its like non smelly mineral spirits.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

thanks, i just rubbed and rubbed, will try that, thanks 762

 

[elkkid3]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Before

After

 

[elkkid3]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

I spent about 3 hours with lacquer thinner to do about 1/10 of the scope and then about 3 hours to completely strip the rest of it with the gel. Most of the time was letting the gel do it's magic and about 15 minutes of working on it.

 

[stillbuster]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Coat the item you are stripping and wrap it in a wal mart bag, it keeps the gel wet and seems to work a little faster for me.
I have used that and safe strip on optics, actions and numerous stocks.
Just don't let it sit on fiberglass any longer than necessary.
Scope looks great, just like new.

 

[sickeness]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Duracoat isn't really as durable as the manufacturer wants you to believe.

Now gunkote or cerakote..... that is another story.

 

[elkkid3]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

The rings on the rifle (After stripped) are different. They are Badgers that have never been painted. I can get pictures of the stripped rings if wanted.

 

[savage110]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Rhett, just curious but why did you strip it down? are you repainting the rifle?

 

[elkkid3]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Savage110</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Rhett, just curious but why did you strip it down? are you repainting the rifle?</div></div>

Going to have ARP paint the barreled action and camo the stock.

 

[savage110]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Nice, what pattern? Is it a hunting theme or more tacticool?

 

[elkkid3]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

More Tacticool, Going with Tan barreled action, bottom metal, and bipod. Not sure on the stock pattern yet, thinking about a desert flectarn.

 

[MCC]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Looks good both before and after.

 

[Dantrom]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

tag, thanks

 

[selfbowhunter]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

how bout some CLOSE pics of the "after". it looks like the haze that was mentioned before is on the scope now.

chuck

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

looks good to me, nice job az, good to know that stuff comes off. though all my stuff is goin to be cerakoted, lol

 

[vman]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

pretty impressive results

 

[elkkid3]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

I will get close ups today or tomorrow. I whipped it off with acetone after stripping it all.

 

[oldjad02]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Never stripped a scope nor is it on my bucket list. But if i ever think about it I'll send it to you. You do nice work. JimDee

 

[trukreltrog]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Nice, glad I ran across this. I have a mini Aimpoint I want to get the paint off of, I'll have to try this.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

I am amazed that the chemicals/fumes did not affect optics coatings, seals or other elements of the scope!

I don't think I would have attempted this! Great work and glad it came out well and to know that it's possible.

Cheers, Sirhr

 

[Impact]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

should work even faster with Krylon right ?

 

[savage110]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Impact</div><div class="ubbcode-body">should work even faster with Krylon right ? </div></div>
acetone is all you need with krylon.

 

[GunGuru727]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Great job Huntin.

 

[elkkid3]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Impact</div><div class="ubbcode-body">should work even faster with Krylon right ?</div></div>

Yes. I also tried it on Krylon. It does work a lot faster. Just put some stripper or, let sit for 3-5 min and you should be good to wipe it off.

 

[elkkid3]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Sorry it took me so long to get close ups. I was shooting yesterday.

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

looks fine to me

 

[gpz750]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Just stripped camo off a scope using the citristrip. Works great!! Took about 2 hours to get all the grooves cleaned out good. Thanks for the thread.

 

[300WSM]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

DC wasn't applied correctly if it's coming off with stripper. ie. they didn't blast the surface. IMO

 

[elkkid3]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Yeah I don't think it was prepped correctly.

 

[myerfire]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

I recently Dura Coated my lower and now I'm a little concerned with how durable it is. However, I did wash it in TR Cleaner-Degreaser and then sandblasted it before applying the Dura Coat. It started as bare metal, so I didn't have to remove any other coating.
Crossing my fingers,
myerfire

 

[earthquake]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

I was just going to post about removing Krylon from a scope, barrel and stock. Guess this answers my question!

 

[TimK]

Re: Stripping DuraCoat off a Nightforce.

Surface prep will have no affect on how the stripper attacks any finish. The stripper eats its way through from the outside in, not the inside out.