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Old March 4, 2013, 06:11 PM   #1
p5200
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How to clean a dirty wooden stock

I just purchased a new, old stock Tikka t3 Deluxe in 270 Win. at a LGS and by looking at it it has been handled quite a bit cause it has that dark dingy look they get when handled a lot. Anyone know what I can use to remove the darkness and bring back the grain pattern/ shine? Thanks for all advice!
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Old March 4, 2013, 07:29 PM   #2
603Country
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I guess the first thing I'd try is Mineral Spirits. I'm a woodworker, so I have a lot of it close at hand. That'll get any grease or oils off the wood, and it won't remove any finish, it won't stain, and it dries rather quickly. That's a good first start, but past that maybe others have suggestions.
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Old March 4, 2013, 08:10 PM   #3
Dave P
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I vote for mineral spirits also, and 0000 steel wool.

A hot sunny day can bring old oils to the surface.

Who is going to recommend the dishwasher method????
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Old March 5, 2013, 09:34 AM   #4
Rifleman1776
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Soap and water. Not dripping wet, just a wet cloth. It is what antique restorers use. When dry apply appropriate protectant.
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Old March 5, 2013, 07:17 PM   #5
Scorch
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Mineral spirits works well, as does Scotts Liquid Gold furniture polish.

And keep steel wool away from anything walnut. Unless you like freckles, that is.
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Old March 8, 2013, 03:12 PM   #6
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+1 Scott's Liquid Gold
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Old March 8, 2013, 11:08 PM   #7
nanewt02
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acetone does wonders,expensive though
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Old March 9, 2013, 07:10 AM   #8
p5200
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Will mineral spirits be alright to use on an oil finished stock? I noticed I failed to mention that fact sorry! I used a little Ballistol and it seemed to help a little but, it's still awful dark and not much shine. I do realize though, that an oil finish doesn't have the gloss of a hard finish. Thanks for all the advice so far keep it coming.
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Old March 9, 2013, 08:28 AM   #9
JT-AR-MG42
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I don't know what Ballistol is. Never tried mineral spirits.
Acetone has worked in the past for me to pull out the dirt and oil.

I wear latex gloves, use the rough shop cotton clothes, and do the work in the garage only.

Rags only if you are going to be just applying a new linseed oil finish.

After having used steel wool before, I would vote no on it again unless you intended to sand the stock prior to the new finish going on.

JT
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Old March 9, 2013, 09:38 AM   #10
603Country
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Mineral Spirits will remove Linseed Oil, but won't remove it rapidly or remove any that's down in the wood. And any BLO (boiled linseed oil) that gets removed can be put right back. Try a good wipedown with the mineral spirits, let the stock dry, and then take a few drops of BLO on your hands and rub it on the stock. See how that looks. It should give you a nice satiny shine. If that doesn't look anything like you want, and is still too dark, then maybe you want to consider refinishing it. The dark color on a lot of old stocks will be where the hands were on it, and is likely due to penetration of various oils (gun oil on the shooter's hands, for instance) that darkened the wood. I don't know if those oils will come out to your satisfaction.

As for the acetone, yes that should dissolve any oils and greases, and will do it much faster than mineral spirits, which might make it the better choice for removing deep down grime. Good luck, but if you decide to refinish, let us know. We have suggestions and details for you on that.
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Old March 9, 2013, 12:59 PM   #11
p5200
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Thanks again folks, The Ballistol seemed to help some maybe I'll try another coat. Here's a link for Ballistol http://www.amazon.com/Ballistol-Mult.../dp/B001O2L80E

Last edited by p5200; March 9, 2013 at 01:07 PM.
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Old March 9, 2013, 01:21 PM   #12
Garycw
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How to clean a dirty wooden stock

Is the acetone the same as fingernail polish remover?


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Old March 9, 2013, 06:50 PM   #13
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From what I've seen my girlfriend use, yes, if you look on the back it should say acetone in a percentage , it's probably 90 percent, it woe work, just not sure if its odd color would do anything to the stock, I'd feel more comfortable buying acetone at the hardware store
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Old March 10, 2013, 10:15 AM   #14
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+1 for Ballistol...

A big +1 for Ballistol.
It's handy around the shed or in the home. In the late 1990s, I cleaned my cousins old run down Remington 1100 shotgun with a big can of Ballistol. The 12ga looked like it was in the US civil war but came out looking like a champ!

Ballistol is non toxic & CFC free too. Check www.brownells.com a great resource for any firearm owner.

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Old March 11, 2013, 10:15 PM   #15
nanewt02
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oh yeah?! well, acetone is, well... Flammable, so yeah!
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