Cleaning Stock that has sentencing paint on it

Hi everyone,

It seems that I have read most of the threads on cleaning but my question is a variation on a theme. I have a couple of stocks No8, 42m-b that have either sentencing paint splotches or unit numbers on the butt stocks. I'd like to clean the stocks without damaging the paint marks as i think it adds some character.

Thoughts?

What is sentencing paint? If it's the stuff cops use to ID stuff, it's more like wax crayon than paint. Comes off with regular solvent. Usually.
Unit numbers were painted on with whatever was issued by the CF. It's real paint and doesn't come off easily. (RSM'd have a stroke.) I'd be thinking Murphy's Oil Soap or any other wood cleaning product.

Unless they are real grungy, I'd just rub out the stock in circular motions lightly with fine steel wool soaked with raw linseed oil. Stay off the paint markings and Bob's your Uncle. That's how it was done by real Armourers.

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Originally Posted by Sunray

What is sentencing paint? If it's the stuff cops use to ID stuff, it's more like wax crayon than paint. Comes off with regular solvent. Usually.
Unit numbers were painted on with whatever was issued by the CF. It's real paint and doesn't come off easily. (RSM'd have a stroke.) I'd be thinking Murphy's Oil Soap or any other wood cleaning product.

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As I understand it sentencing paint is the coloured splotch of paint put on a stock (red, yellow) indicating that the firearm is now surplus. It’s regular paint or seems to be.

---------- Post added at 07:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:20 PM ----------

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Originally Posted by Brian Dick

Unless they are real grungy, I'd just rub out the stock in circular motions lightly with fine steel wool soaked with raw linseed oil. Stay off the paint markings and Bob's your Uncle. That's how it was done by real Armourers.

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They aren’t super grungy, but have picked up regular dirt and grime over the years. I am not a wood guy at all so please forgive my ignorance, but would this be milder than a 50/50 turpentine BLO mix that I’ve read about in other threads? It seems to me that it would be. Would BLO from Home Depot suffice?

BLO will suffice but isn't the original finish and contains chemicals to make it dry quicker. You'll find that the dirt and grime will wipe away as you slowly and carefully rub it out. Some like to cut it with turps. I never have but I also live in the south where it's not necessary. You just don't apply it in real heavy coats. You can order RLO on the internet if your usual suppliers don't have it.

Thanks Brian,

I think I'll try the BLO, go easy and see how it goes.

Thanks for the input, the BLO did just what I wanted it to. It cleaned off the bit of grime that was there and it looks great.

"...indicating that the firearm is now surplus..." Nobody painted anything for that purpose. There are stamps, (arrows pointing at each other) that indicate a rifle was "Sold out of service" though.
You don't have to buy RLO on -line. It's readily available in paint stores and farm supply shops. RLO is used as a laxative for cows. And as a paint base.