The importance of the grease

[CrossedCannons]

Interesting set of posts, especially as to wood.

"The almost black color along the metalwood lines of firearms would indicate....... over time, gun oil dissolves the resins in wood and makes it mushy. For example, the compression effect of Garand receivers/trigger guards crushing the wood is in part caused by oil damage to the wood."

I think it more likely that any black coloration arises from rust combining with the tannins in the wood and not from degradation of the wood by "oil". I know from a prior apartment having oak flooring that a wet spot beneath a steel filing cabinet left over time resulted in a "slight discoloration" of the floorboards, or what was in reality a big black stain. I managed to remove much of it before move out with metal chelators and plenty of elbow grease. There was absolutely no oil involved.

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[Seaspriter]

wet spot beneath a steel filing cabinet left over time resulted in a "slight discoloration" of the floorboards, or what was in reality a big black stain.

There is a big difference between the black stains from iron interacting with tannins in wood and "oil rot" which is a degradation of the wood fibre.

Iron stains in wood can be diminished with oxalic acid bleach.

Oil rot requires either the cutting out of the wood, or the extraction of the oil from the spongy wood, followed with an epoxy soak (like the WEST system). I haven't used the epoxy soak on an old gun, just oil boats and furniture. Has anyone tried this?