I have a shock that looks as though it was finished with linseed oil or something like that. I am going to refinish it with one of the stock refinishing kits but was wondering what I needed to do with the existing finish. Anything else and I would use a stripping agent to do my dirty work, limiting the sanding as much as possible, but not sure that will work with the linseed oil. Anyone have any thoughts?

I boil oil finished stocks in water and washing soda for 10 minutes, hang to dry then sand and finish.