Removing rust/metal stains from Walnut

I was very suprised to find this stock. It appears to be from one of the new in the wrap "white bag" rifles. ( A rifle that came from the factory stored in white, VCI bag.)
Its a post war Springfield with a very crisply struck DAS and P. It has the thicker grip that I like for shooting.
The wood was dry and the metal was rusty. It had the remains of the VCI paper still stuck to it. It had a few dents and dings just like the bagged rifles get. I believe it was never used.

[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics001.jpg[/IMGW]
[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics004.jpg[/IMGW][IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics007.jpg[/IMGW]
[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics002.jpg[/IMGW]
[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics003.jpg[/IMGW]


I knew the stock would clean up, but it appeared that on the right side it had been sitting under something that rusted. Look at the large, very black stain on the right side. I have seen this before on other types of wood and have never been able to get it off of anything.
[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics005.jpg[/IMGW]

I've used Acetone, furniture strippers, soap and sanding have never been able to get these stains out of wood. A wooden table on my deck still has a black ring on it from a candle that my wife put on it. It wont come out at all.

I went to the local woodworking store and bought some wood bleacher. It is Oxalic Acid. I applied it to the stains with a toothbrush and the stains slowly dissappeared after several applications.
[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics006.jpg[/IMGW]

After that I cleaned the stock with formby's furniture refinisher and applied a coat of BLO.

Here is the results;
[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics014.jpg[/IMGW]
[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics015.jpg[/IMGW]
[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics016.jpg[/IMGW]
[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics019.jpg[/IMGW]
[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics018.jpg[/IMGW]
[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics017.jpg[/IMGW]
[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics022.jpg[/IMGW]
[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics025.jpg[/IMGW]

A quick look in my spares and I found a front handguard that will match. I will be on the lookout for a matching rear handguard and then I will have a set.
[IMGW]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/frodawwg/HRA1/pics027.jpg[/IMGW]

I am very happy to have saved this stock. I dont think it was ever used. Now I guess I'd better try the table on the deck and see if that stain comes out.:)

Thanks for posting that, Jeff. A couple of years ago I purchased a batch of M1 stocks and handguards; a couple of the stock and the majority of the handguards were birch in new unused condition. The problem is they had been poorly stored and have some black stains identical to the one on your stock. I've tried all the methods as you to remove them with no luck. I'll give the oxalic acid a try. One question...did the oxalic acid remove any of the natural pigment of the wood requireing you to use stain?

No, I didnt use any stain on this one at all. The wood was the same color as the surrounding wood. Then the formby's got everything as you see it and lifted the paper remains off.
This stock appears to be without a finish so I dont know what it would do yet to a piece that has that "aged" type of finish of years of handling/oil treatments etc.

PS, The stain on the deck table is coming out as well.

Hi All,

I have several handguards and a couple of stocks with the dark stain problem. I don't think it's rust. I think it's caused by chemical, oil, and/or dirty water stainning.

I also have sucessfully removed these stains, as well as smoke and charred stains from stocks and hand guards using TSP. Be very careful not too make the solution too strong or leave it on the stock, or soaking in solution for more than 3-4 hours, less for hand guards. If left on too long or too strong it will split the wood. Nuetralize with lots of hot steammy water in your wash tub. You can also used a mild acid like ammonia or acetone to nuetralize, but I have been having good luck using hot steamy water and a scuff pad.

Regards,

D8

your stock is prettier than my prom date lol, all jokes aside, that is one GORGEOUS stock, thanks for the pics and the story