Uberti Cattleman Grip Stripping & Refinish

[Slowhand53]

I would like to strip & refinish the slick finish that came on my Uberti Cattleman. What I am looking to achieve is the look & color of the grip as it left the factory during the first generation  production and not making it look like it is 100+ years old. Would like ideas about stripping methods that are used. Correct or close color for refinishing and weather to use oil rubbing or staining. for a final finish. Appreciate any help.

[Major 2]

There has been a few threads concerning this....others have their ways and will chim in... http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,52290.msg636533.html#msg636533

I 'll repeat my process.
I use Strypeeze ( water soluble ) there other products however.

Pull the Grip frame,  I set the grip(s) on newspaper and apply the Strypeeze, it will bubble the finish , I use 4 0000
steel wool ( it will load up rather quickly ) to rub the finish down.
Flush with water , you will probably need to do this 2-3 times to strip all the finish....
Now, wash the grip and allow the grips to dry,.
Use the 4 0000 to smooth the whiskers raised by the water.
The grip may need a bit of stain to darken, I use Leather stain Med. brown which I had cut 4 to 1 ( 4 alcohol to 1 dye ) for holster projects.... you may want to experiment your ratio to color.
Once over again with 4 0000 and rub in Skidmore's ,
There are tung oils and boiled linseed oil, I prefer Skidmores.

[Bibbyman]

My plan is in the mail.  I noticed Taylors & Company has listed unfinished grip for $14 and ordered 4.  They are walnut and said to be all machined out - requiring sanding to fit profile of grip frame.   I figure for $14 I could mess around with these and save my slick grips.

[Slowhand53]

Bought a product called citistrip in a spray can. Ill see how that goes then follow Bibbymans advice.

[Abilene]

Citristrip is what I have used.  All the Uberti wood I have stripped was very light colored after stripping, and needed to be stained darker before oiling.

I have been using Minwax 224 "Special Walnut" stain.  See pics.  I would like to go darker next time and will try Minwax 2716 "Dark Walnut".  Have used various oils, Formby's tung oil, Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil.  I liked the Formby's but my bottle was old and it dried out.  Can't remember which I used on the conversions.  On the Thunderer grip I used Ballistol for the finish.

[Slowhand53]

Thank you kindly Abilene. Your pics give me something to shoot for. I think I will go with the Dark Walnut as a stain. As far as the oil I will just have to stop in Dicks and see what they have or try Home Depot or something like that. I have never done this before but seems pretty straightforward Strip. Stain, & Oil. Your help as well as any tips always appreciated.

[Abilene]

Slowhand, there was a pard, now deceased, named Longshot Logan, who had some neat how-to articles online.  Someone at "The Open Range" message board has preserved his articles.  This is the one I used as a guide when I first started refinishing some stocks:

http://www.theopenrange.net/articles/ll_uberti_refinishing.pdf

[Slowhand53]

Thank you again Sir. The link is a bjg help. Just put on the first coat of Citristrip a couple of hours ago and the orange is bubbling. Going to let it sit overnight and if need to, will repeat tomarrow. One bubble strip fell off the bottom of the grip and the exposed part looks dark. Perhaps this set is dark to begin with.

[Slowhand53]

Grips are stripped & now stained with minwax dark walnut.Next will be formbys low gloss tung oil. Happy with results so far.

[Bibbyman]

Looks like wood now instead of wood under glass.

[Slowhand53]

Looks like wood now instead of wood under glass.

Well said Bibbyman.

[Major 2]

I've yet to find one I refinished, I didn't like better ....
my next candidate will be a NIB US Finish OT with silver plated grip frames....  
The grips are just too slick & shiney