Stock clean-up

[SGT K]

What do you guys use to clean up walnut stocks? I received some Garands and some of the stocks are in pretty good shape, but they are all covered with years of sticky black oil and grime. Before I do anything I would like to get the tar off and see what I have.

Thanks,
Paul

Information

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[mousegun]

http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles...ng_article.htm

[Tim]

I use acetone as an archeologist uses a tooth brush. A little bit on a cloth or paper towel removes the black hand oils and dirt, and if your lucky will reveal a cartouche or two sometimes. Do not pour it on the stock, put it on the towel and use a little at a time. Do not remove the patina just reveal the grain. You can always add BLO or tung afterwards and you are back to an original stock. Use proper ventilation (Outside), and go a bit at a time and you will reveal the grain under the black oil soaked areas. I always do this first before steaming or dishwasher. If I see it is not a collectable stock I do the steam or dishwasher followed by BLO. Sometimes sanding may be necessary, but once again use the acetone to reveal the original stock. Acetone evaporates quickly so use ventilation, gloves and keep using a clean spot on the rag until desired finish is exposed. Like I said it is like using a toothbrush on a fossil. Less is more.

[Rick B]

I have been using Go Jo without grit or a equivalent for 15 years on stocks. I rub it on and wait 20 minutes. I then take a tooth brush while rinsing the stock in the utility tub under warm water. I get it all off and let dry. I repeat until it is clean maybe sanding lightly with a 150 grit before the next Go Jo.

I have many happy customers after this method. On bad stubborn or lacquered finishes I use Bix stripper or Jasco for the real stubborn ones. The stocks below have all been cleaned with Go Jo. Hope this helps. Rick B

[SGT K]

Thanks. I've really learned a lot here and I appreciate you replies. A couple of these rifles are so black - I didn't know where to start.

I did notice a couple of these rifles had nice cartouches on them. It's probably unlikely that I would have a valuable stock on any of my rifles, they are all mismatched and none of them are terribly attractive, but I would hate to go scrubbing away on something that I should be smart enough to leave alone. Is there a site that will show me what cartouches make a stock more valuable? If I did have an important one I wouldn't use my questionable skill to refinish it.

Thanks again,
Paul

[Rick B]

I have never lost a cartouche yet as you are not scrubbing the stocks with a hard brush when using a tooth brush. Folks here know I have done allot of stocks without harming them and I understand what your concerns are.

In the case of a dark stock like you are talking about you will need a stripper and the tooth brush method. But if not comfortable then leave them as they are, you can always clean them later if you feel the need. Rick B

[SGT K]

I have never lost a cartouche yet as you are not scrubbing the stocks with a hard brush when using a tooth brush. Folks here know I have done allot of stocks without harming them and I understand what your concerns are.

Sorry Rick, I sure didn't mean to imply that you scrubbed off cartouches. I can tell by your shop that a lot of people trust you to finish their stocks.

I'm concerned that if I had an even mildly valuable stock I wouldn't know it. I need to find a place to research what the different cartouches look like and see if I have anything interesting.

I'll go easy, just like you said.
Thanks,
Paul

[Dan In Indiana]

I have used Tri Sodium Phosphate on several, does a pretty good job, not perfect, but then neither am I.

OFC

[Dan Wilson]

Okay flame away but I use the dishwasher (on walnut stocks) and don't really see any depth loss with any stock stampings and I use Jasco on the stocks that are too long for the dishwasher. (but I will try the gojo method now, never thought of that, thanks Rick)

Okay now you can scream

Dan

[SGT K]

Dan,

After spending most of the day cleaning one of these grimy things I'm about ready to consider that...........But if I put one of these filthy things in Momma's dishwasher I'd probably have to learn to live without half of my stuff.

Paul