Carbon Build-up

[BHP]

Trying to clean up a stock with a lot of carbon build-up. Been using mineral spirits but it doesn't seem to be "cutting" it. Any pointers?

Information

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[Tired Retired]

I have had good luck with denatured alcohol....

[BHP]

Thanks, TR, I'll give it a try

[frankderrico]

BHP, ditto on the denatured alcohol. I have done it and had good results. Use a coarse rag, no steel wool. If you use the SW you get alot of slivers in the wood that are imposible to get out.
I got a tip from Painter on the final step to clean a stock that works great. Bleach it with EZ Strip, a two part stripper that you can get at most paint suppliers. I got mine at Fleet Farm. I have used a stain and then BLO, sometimes just the BLO. This one looked like a telephone pole when I started. HTH.....Frank
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[phillydude]

wow, very nice job Frank !!

[frankderrico]

Thanks Brian, The first one is an RMC B that I'm going to use on my IBM restoration, should be sweet when done. Here are some more.....Frank
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A patch job
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[BHP]

Thank you, Frank. My Winchester stock is about half phone pole. Mostly barrel/slide channel and forearm. Thanks for the photos. Hope the Win stock turns out half as nice!

[frankderrico]

BHP, take your time with it.
A couple of tips I use. I have a steam iron I bought at a second hand shop, that I use to steam out dents. I know some don't do it but I will sometimes. I put a soaked rag over the dent or deep scratch and put the iron right on the rag, leave for awhile then move the rag and iron to the next spot. Just keep it moving all around the stock. Lastly use the wood bleach, like Charlie says its like peroxide on steroids. I have used it on some stocks like three or four coats to get out bad stains but it does work. Good luck, and if you have any Questions let me know and I will try to help.....Frank

QHMC
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Mauser
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Underwood 041 rebuild
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[BHP]

Frank,
Just wanted to show you what I was working with.

Right side is OK.



Left side, starting to get funky...



Close up of left forearm



Barrel and slide channel






This is what I have after cleaning/cutting with a soft cloth with, first, mineral spirits (5 times), then denatured alcohol (3 times). Starting to look like it's more than carbon. Maybe 60 years worth of solvents, oil and grease. I started an internet search and couldn't find EZ strip or a two part wood bleach that didn't scare me. Seems like (and I'm probably wrong) the bleach will remove all the woods natural color. Could you provide me with a picture of the products your using? Don't want to get the wrong stuff and turn the stock into kindling

Thanks,
Mike

[frankderrico]

Mike, my mistake it is Klean Strip Wood Bleach. Klean Strip makes lots of wood products, I use their BLO. I have one can that I heat up with a propane torch untill it bubbles then put it on the stocks with a 1" brush. It realy soaks in. Charlie uses a soak tank with warm BLO overnight. I dodn't have a tank(yet). I think I would do the bleach on your Winny stock, and I think you're going to need multiple bleachings on the stained spots. Just take your time and start with the worse areas and finish by bleaching the whole stock. when your done the stock will have no color. On a plus side the bleach seems to pull out any markings and make them stand out better. Then wipe it down with min. spirits and thats what you will get with just BLO. If you don't like it then you can stain it followed with BLO. Another option is to stain it inside the barrel channel as a test. Hope that helps.....Frank