Done...
not that hard.
I heated to 275 degrees and left the parts in long enough to heat through. Liquid sizzled on it.
I hung the frame from a hook on the back deck and swabbed with a sponge soaked in the Plum Brown. When it cooled enough to handle, I put it back in the oven took it back up to 275.
Did three coats, but you are correct Mykeal, after the second, it didn't make any difference.
How are you going to handle it to take it out of the oven and apply the Plum Brown?
I used my wife's pink silicon heat resistant glove.
Very even finish considering it is a re-finish job and I couldn't get all the flaws out of the steel. The cylinder has the most "marbling" from having discolored before. But it looks great.
I wiped down with olive oil and hung it out to cure for the next week. Hope to assemble and shoot this weekend.
Is there a better lube to use on it? Bear fat?
I forgot the screw heads and the head of the cylinder rod!
The wood grips are stained and filthy, don't know if paint stripper or sanding will get it out of the wood. Just part of the aging process, I guess.