Cleaning finish off of chuck jaws

[Jesse Tutterrow]

I have been in production mode getting Christmas presents ready. I may spray eight coats of rattle can finish in a day. Although I try hard not to spray the chuck or jaws there is some overspray. I tried a piece of cardboard with a hole cut in it to slide over the jaws but it kept bouncing around and hitting the product as the lathe turned.

What is the best way to remove spray finish from the chuck jaws? I thought of soaking them in Acetone but I don't know if completely dried finish would be desolved.

Thanks in Advance

 

[Richard Coers]

We need to know what rattle can finish you use. Lacquer thinner dissolves just about anything. Put them in a jar with a lid and let it soak for a couple days.

 

[Jesse Tutterrow]

Most often it is Watco lacquer. Sometimes shellac. Sometimes alcohol-based dye. Shellac and dye is via an air-brush.

 

[Doug Freeman]

Shellac can be removed with household amonia. Lacquer - lacquer thinner. Dye - same as solvent. Some dissolve in alcohol or water, and water will remove. Can also use a wire wheel brush.

 

[Jesse Tutterrow]

Would Acetone work? It seems to dissolve most finishes.

 

[Kent Jaffrey]

Most likely acetone will work. It will dissolve CA and lacquer provided you keep it wet.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

Best is not to get the chuck dirty to begin with. Easiest is to simply wrap it up in a plastic bag to avoid the spray.

 

[Brian Gustin]

I regularly wipe mine down with bit of Tried & True original finish (linseed oil & beeswax) - nothing much sticks to it (except dust if it is still uncured) so if I get some overspray, let it dry and wipe it off. probably could get same results with some paste wax polish, etc I would think. as an alternative, visit a lawnmower shop and pick up a spray can of Mo-Deck or Sno-Jet or an ATV shop for some Mud-Slide (all 3 brands from mo-deck.com, I see available on amazon) - it's a slick polymer spray that builds up over time and nothing (not even dust) sticks to it.. although it does take some time and multiple applications for optimum effectiveness.. I still use my leftover stash (from my old lawnmower shop) on garden shovels, the tractor's front loader bucket (for snowplowing in winter) among many other uses.