Ahhhh... Didn't think about that! The stock looks clean because I cleaned off the funk using 91% Isopropyl Alcohol; no steam or sanding involved and gave it a two of coats of RLO red oil and a final finish coat of RLO, the raised cartouches were there before I started. I sold this rifle to a friend (at cost no less) for this daughter who's in a marksmanship program and he wanted it cleaned up. However, the stock was not gurddy .. gruddy to begin with so you may be on the right track.