Removing finish on a glossy Remington 7400 ?

[Country Boy]

 How can you take the glossy finish off and make it a satin finish ?  Any directions or help most appreciated. I'm all thumbs so try to keep it simple. Thanks

[gunnut69]

The easiest way is to simply lightly rub the finish with 0000 steel wool. If done carefully this will leave a matte finish. After the shine is broken a bit of wax will soften the shine even more. Use the 0000 grade wool and go easy..

[Rangr44]

"Being careful" is key, since the RKW Remington finish is an epoxy, and if you cut through it, you're going to go way beyond simple, removing it/sanding it off and doing a full restain/refinishing job.

FYI - Epoxy-type finishes can't be successfully "touched up", and the repair will show up/stand out like a sore thumb.

[gunnut69]

renger is right about avoiding going in to heavy but they can sometimes be patched. I've patched more than one.. The problem is that the poly finishes all use a material to inhibit UV light from damaging them. There are 2 materials commonly used and they 'tint' the clear finishes slightly different colors. You won't see the difference but when the patch is done you certainly will!! I've had the best luck with a rub on poly available from WalMart. It seems to blend with most of the plastics. The only exception so far was a Browning.. If the is a mis-match you just have to re-do the entire stock. A pain but not really too hard. But that is a different string which I believe we've discussed before.. I must however say again that sanding or using a paint remover is not the way to take off the really stubborn poly finishes. They are long chain polymers and very heat sensitive. Apply heat to them and they will break down and can be removed easily. I've stripped and sanded many M700 stocks in under an hour..