Help from M1A1 Stock experts !!

[frankderrico]

Ronnie, yes it came with the flash hider.....Frank

[Jim Nasium]

Charlie, you got any ideas on how I could clean up those burn marks on this one??

tia

r

[painter777]

Think it's really burn marks or Soot build up? Soot is a heavy Carbon build up.

If a bore cleaner like Hoppes#9 won't do it.

Mix a cup of Chlorine bleach, 2 cups of water and add 5 or 6 tablespoons of TSP ( Tri Sodium Phosphate ) mixed together. TSP is a common cleaner found at hardwares. Stiff bristle brush should do.
Might take several applications but normally this should do it. It's a common cleaner for fireplaces.
There may be special Fireplace cleaners out there, I just haven't looked.
We've used this mix in bigger ratios for fire jobs to clean up Fireplace mantels, beams, built ins...etc. Works very well. Usual precautions for bleach. TSP is more or less harmless. Eye protection...and gloves are the main thing.
Just keep the outside dry as possible.

I've heard Hydrogen Peroxide or oven cleaners work, but have never tried them.

If no luck....As a last resort...
Use a 2 part Wood Bleach.
Be careful and contain it to just inside.
If it gets outside it will pull color from the exterior of the stock.

Good Luck,
Charlie-painter777

P.S. Try searching fireplace cleaners. There may be some new mix out there I'm not familiar with.

[Jim Nasium]

Thanks Charlie!!
I'm almost sure it's burn marks, but will try the soot removal first. I'll think I'll try it on an old beat up stock .... So's I can get used to how it works. That recipe sounds like some pretty strong stuff.. I sure wouldn't want to ruin this one!!
Too, before I start, I'll go to H/Depot and see what they've got.... Never can tell... Tri Sodium Phosphate eh ?? !!

I really appreciate your help, Sir...!!

Ronnie, aka Jim

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Charlie,

Have you ever used the Minwax (and others) Antique Furniture 'Restorer' or 'refinisher?"

I've used it on most of my stocks and it cleans off old marks, stains, etc, but won't take off the original finish.

It is pretty mild and requires a bit of elbow grease, but the results have been good. I used 000 steel wool and lots of reapplications and towels to do this for and old smoking stand.

The finished photo is just after using the restorer, with nothing else done.

[Jim Nasium]

I sure like the looks of the finished product Harlan !! Really pretty grain and it shows up well..

r aka j

[painter777]

Hi Harlan,
That Minwax refinisher is a light duty stripper designed to pull old top coat oils, shellac, Lacquer and the older ( non plastic) varnishes off. In turn it pulls the grime that lays on top and just under the top coat off.
I've seen it work well on older items, but won't touch newer Plastics, Poly's, Urethanes and spars. Won't remove old lead and heavy metal paints or paints that were applied with some tooth. Could see it pulling paints applied over not prepped correctly woods.
Your " requires a bit of elbow grease " and "lots of reapplications " means big $$ to me when I'm the one paying the guys ;-(.
Most of our work is new build, if we find ourselves in the awkward position of having to strip something I need the HOT stuff and 1 employee turning in his keys. Get it down and get it hid !!
Maybe I sound sour but after 34 years I'm running out of Elbow grease.

My mother likes that stuff because it doesn't have the fumes that we've come to love !! One of the last great benefits we have !!

Ron,
TSP is some handy stuff.
The bleach/tsp and water isn't as caustic as it sounds. I just water blasted the same mixture over some chalking, mildewed siding and didn't hurt the landscape. Just had to pre soak it with clean water first, then rinse after application.

FWIW,
Charlie

P.S. Looks nice harlan

[painter777]

Hey,
I think I called that pretty darn close.......

http://www.minwax.com/products/speci...efinisher.html

:-)
Charlie-painter777

[Harlan (Deceased)]

You're correct about the poly finishes for sure. This stuff is mild and won't touch the newer 'plastic' type finishes some people sadly have applied.

I didn't mean if you'd used it for commercial stuff. There's no way I'd pay a guy to take as long as it takes me to do a stock!

I was wondering if you'd used it on any of the stocks you refinish, or may try it on one that doesn't have a ton of paint on it. This refinisher works outstanding for me to clean up old blackish build-up etc from stocks, without stripping the wood finish of the original color.

The best stock I used it on was my old Winchester Garand stock. It was almost black and ugly. The Minwax left the stock with a great looking finish with original grain showing, PLUS there is a CC that didn't show up at all before. Not great, but it's there, which was a nice surprise -

Keep in mind, this stock looked 'black' before - The Minwax left it oiled and clean without being caustic and too strong.
(Wish I had taken 'before' photo)



You're correct about the lack of fumes real painters love though!