[bentley86]

Okay, final update.

Just out of sheer frustration I put everything back into a fresh batch of Nickel stripper and let it cook at about 140 degrees for about 4 hours. I didn't see any new smut forming, but I was nearly constantly swirling the pot. There was black stuff floating in it after a while so it was slooooowly working.

After 4 hours it appears that I am down to bare steel. I think that it was just a thick layer of Nickel that was just being real stubborn.

I've polished the metal and it looks real pretty. Now it's time for the long and tedious rust bluing process.

Thanks!