Question about removing sight paint

[doddg]

I use florescent sight paint on my front sight (red) & sometimes on the rear sights (white).
The directions say that it can be removed using a solvent.
I had painted the rear sights on a GSG 1911-22 some 13 months ago.
I have decided I didn't want it there & I wanted the plain metal to contrast with the front red optic for contrast.

However, when I went to Wanamaker Feed & Seed (like an old fashioned hardware store) to get some Acetone as my solvent and the owner there warned me it could harm the finish of the metal so I didn't get any.
The finish had a Cerakote application on it so I was afraid to try it.
Any suggestions?
Should I use vinegar, alcohol, nail polish remover or just soap & water with a brass brush?

 

[WebSnyper]

I use florescent sight paint on my front sight (red) & sometimes on the rear sights (white).
The directions say that it can be removed using a solvent.
I had painted the rear sights on a GSG 1911-22 some 13 months ago.
I have decided I didn't want it there & I wanted the plain metal to contrast with the front red optic for contrast.

However, when I went to Wanamaker Feed & Seed (like an old fashioned hardware store) to get some Acetone as my solvent and the owner there warned me it could harm the finish of the metal so I didn't get any.
The finish had a Cerakote application on it so I was afraid to try it.
Any suggestions?
Should I use vinegar, alcohol, nail polish remover or just soap & water with a brass brush?

Did you try some Hoppes #9?

 

[lrdudley]

Regular nail polish remover is acetone.

 

[doddg]

Did you try some Hoppes #9?

I had not, but I've got some.

Regular nail polish remover is acetone.

I had read that.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

You might try Goof Off, but I'm not sure what chemicals are in it. I'm thinking it's petroleum based.

 

[Karl-just-Karl]

You might try Goof Off, but I'm not sure what chemicals are in it. I'm thinking it's petroleum based.

I believe it has a major component of naphtha (lighter fluid). Which works well on adhesive residues.


The Google world claims acetone will not harm Cerakote. Caution! The sights might not have a Cerakote finish though.

I would try using Q-tips. Dip one in Acetone and hold it in contact with the paint. Flip it over in about 30 seconds (because Acetone evaporates quickly) and repeat with the other end.

On the second end of the Q-tip I would finish by applying pressure and a twisting or wiping motion. Check the Q-tip to see if any paint was removed.
Repeat as often as necessary to complete the job. Use a new Q-tip every time to keep from contaminating your Acetone.

You can try high-grade (91%) Isopropyl alcohol as a safer test run, but IPA usually has little effect on most paints.

Be sure to re-oil whatever area you use a solvent around.

 

[doddg]

You might try Goof Off, but I'm not sure what chemicals are in it. I'm thinking it's petroleum based.

I saw Goof Off on the shelf there & wondered about that, but didn't know whether it would be "gentle" enough.

I believe it has a major component of naphtha (lighter fluid). Which works well on adhesive residues.
The Google world claims acetone will not harm Cerakote. Caution! The sights might not have a Cerakote finish though.

The finish matches exactly, so I imagine it has the Cerakote.

I would try using Q-tips. Dip one in Acetone and hold it in contact with the paint. Flip it over in about 30 seconds (because Acetone evaporates quickly) and repeat with the other end.
On the second end of the Q-tip I would finish by applying pressure and a twisting or wiping motion. Check the Q-tip to see if any paint was removed.
Repeat as often as necessary to complete the job. Use a new Q-tip every time to keep from contaminating your Acetone.

Of course: Q-tips! for application.
Would be better for a trial than using the brass "toothbrush" that I bought to scrap the paint off after applying a solvent then checking the Q-tip to see if only white paint was coming off or was it lifting the finish off, whether it is Cerakote or not.

You can try high-grade (91%) Isopropyl alcohol as a safer test run, but IPA usually has little effect on most paints.
Be sure to re-oil whatever area you use a solvent around.

Re-oil for sure.

 

[doddg]

Thanks for your input, guys!
Very helpful.

I ended up just using the brass "toothbrush" on it, just testing it & it came off.
I even did the back of the slide where the "brush" marks are that keep glare down.
Probably shouldn't have, but I got carried away.
It did bring the finish with it also.
It's fine, just a little lighter than the regular finish.
It looks more like just a reflection of the light.
It was hard for me to get a pic w/o it seeming too light or dark a mix of the two, since I was too lazy to get out of my chair to get better lighting.

 

[doddg]

I had a Colt/Walther 1911-22 clone that I had put my white florescent paint on the rear sights, but decided I wanted to try green instead.
Just experimenting, I used some 70% rubbing alcohol & then some hydrogen peroxide to loosen it up a bit before using my brass "toothbrush."
Came out fine.
Now to see if I get any better clarity at the range.

 

[Arlo1]

Laquer (sp) thinner?

 

[doddg]

Laquer (sp) thinner?

I read this:
"Paint thinner can remove oil-based paint from brushes and other equipment but only while the paint it still wet.
Acetone is often the only solvent that is strong enough to dissolve paint after it has dried.
Paint thinners should not be used with latex paints, shellac or lacquers."

 

[DadSmith]

I use florescent sight paint on my front sight (red) & sometimes on the rear sights (white).
The directions say that it can be removed using a solvent.
I had painted the rear sights on a GSG 1911-22 some 13 months ago.
I have decided I didn't want it there & I wanted the plain metal to contrast with the front red optic for contrast.

However, when I went to Wanamaker Feed & Seed (like an old fashioned hardware store) to get some Acetone as my solvent and the owner there warned me it could harm the finish of the metal so I didn't get any.
The finish had a Cerakote application on it so I was afraid to try it.
Any suggestions?
Should I use vinegar, alcohol, nail polish remover or just soap & water with a brass brush?

Whats the brand of sight paint that you are using? Stuff I've tried flakes off rather quickly.

 

[doddg]

Whats the brand of sight paint that you are using? Stuff I've tried flakes off rather quickly.

I picked this up at a LGS where I used to shoot before the moved & don't have their gun range "yet."
There very well could be better stuff out there (I've even heard of nail polish or going to the model hobby shop).
The only critic I have is the applicator: either there is too little or too much on the it after time.

 

[zachcz]

I’ve always used nail polish remover and goof off to remove paint. That sight paint you just posted pic of stays on better than nail polish and is a little harder to remover but non acetone nail polish remover does the trick.

 

[gregkl]

I see you found a solution but it's always good to have some denatured alcohol around the house.

Denatured alcohol is a little stronger than some of the other alcohols, but still not too strong.


I use it to remove old latex paint around the house and for other cleaning purposes.

 

[doddg]

I’ve always used nail polish remover and goof off to remove paint.
That sight paint you just posted pic of stays on better than nail polish and is a little harder to remover but non acetone nail polish remover does the trick.

Thanks: I'll get some!

I see you found a solution but it's always good to have some denatured alcohol around the house.
Denatured alcohol is a little stronger than some of the other alcohols, but still not too strong.
I use it to remove old latex paint around the house and for other cleaning purposes.

Good to know!

 

[doddg]

I happened to be over at ZRT in Noblesville yesterday & asked him about removing paint from a sight, and he said use acetone, it won't damage the Ceracote finish.
Good to know.

 

[STEEL CORE]

Don't shoot the TV.