X5 Lightning Restoration

1958-1964 (X-5 Lightning), 1964-1967 (X-15 Lightning)
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.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 4:03 am
PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 6:08 pm
I purchased this rifle at a local gun auction about a month ago. I will be doing a full restoration of this rifle which will include: an overall disassembly and cleaning of the internals, refinishing the receiver and the barrel, and refinishing the stock.

Here is what the rifle looked like when I purchased it.

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.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 4:03 am
PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 4:21 am
Here is the rifle fully disassembled, all the mechanical components appear to be in excellent condition.

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.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 4:03 am
PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 6:57 pm
The bluing is starting to fade in some areas on the barrel; there is a bad spot near the end of the barrel which is rusting.

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.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 4:03 am
PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 7:12 pm
I'm not a proponent of bluing, due to its temporal nature as a rust protector. As a result, I've opted to go with what I hope to be a more permanent solution: ceramic/enamel paint. The product I'm using is Duplicolour's High Temp Engine Enamel - low gloss black. Ive used this product before when doing an engine rebuild on a 73 nova and its held up perfectly.

I lightly sanded the bluing down and used a phosphoric acid gel on the deeper rust spots. After neutralizing the acid, I de-greased the barrel with paint thinner and rinsed with water. I sprayed 4-5 very light coats and baked the barrel in an oven at 300 F for 2 hours in accordance with the instructions on the can.

It's been seven days since, which is the recommended cure time; here are the results.

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User avatar
.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 4:03 am
PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 7:30 pm
Using the same procedure on the receiver. I don't think this gun was ever cleaned in its lifetime, the bolt, other internals, and the inside of the receiver were filthy.

Before

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Dents from what I presume to be scope mounts..
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I've hammered out the dents and lightly sanded off the surface rust and bluing before paint.
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User avatar
.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 4:03 am
PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 8:53 pm
After paint and cure

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PostPosted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 12:00 pm
Welcome to the Ithaca Owners Forum Chewie !!

Please introduce yourself to our community via the New Member Welcome Area...

Enjoy the forum.
PostPosted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 12:01 pm
BTW...Nice job !!
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Vendor
Posts: 967
Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 5:06 am
Location: Mobile, AL
PostPosted: Sun Jan 24, 2016 8:12 pm
That is some really good work. It looks great.
--Jim
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.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 4:03 am
PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 5:59 pm
Working on the stock now. I want to go with a simple boiled linseed oil finish.

Here it is before varnish stripping.
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After stripping (I used a basic furniture stripper)
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After light sanding with 220 grit
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 12:51 pm
Looking good...
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.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 4:03 am
PostPosted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 4:48 pm
Finished stock; about 12 coats of linseed oil over a few weeks.

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User avatar
.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 4:03 am
PostPosted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 4:59 pm
The X5 resto is finished!!!

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PostPosted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 10:32 pm
Awesome job Chewy !!

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