Cleaning old wood stock without damaging finish.

candlejackstraw · July 19, 2015, 09:11 PM

So I have an old winchester model 67, from the 1930's, one of the first few years they were produced. I'd like to clean the stock without removing the original finish. Afterwards I would like to apply some gun stock wax. I don't want to refinish the gun or affect the collectors value. What would you recommend to use to get the black oily grimy spots off of the stock? I was recommended pledge, laquer thinner and other chemicals.

candlejackstraw · July 19, 2015, 09:12 PM

It looks darker in real life

Dixie Gunsmithing · July 19, 2015, 09:29 PM

A lot of spray cleaners, such as 409, will clean any dirt from the finish. Just clean the cleaner off with a damp rag, wipe it dry, and wax it. There are some spray type furniture polishes, which have cleaners in them, that will work also.

Pahoo · July 20, 2015, 10:20 AM

Whenever I encounter a stock like yours, I initially wipe it down with Mineral Spirits on an old wash cloth. Then;

1) I apply a product that I started using for about the last six months. It's called "Restore" by Pledge and come in a 16oz. spray bottle. Just follow the directions on the bottle. The results may surprise you and you have not compromised your original finish but it's not permanent and you may have to reapply later .....

2) If I want to get into the surface to not only remove dug in dirt and such as well as "light" surface scratches. I us a combination of plastic polish and shoe paste wax like Kiwi. I go slow and easy and avoid over doing any sharp edges.

Good Luck and
Be Safe !!!

Dave P · July 20, 2015, 10:48 AM

Mineral Spirits on an old wash cloth.

or 0000 steel wool. Very gentle to the wood.

tangolima · July 21, 2015, 09:48 AM

Wood doesn't do well with water, so I wouldn't use any water based cleaner. Mineral spirit or turpentine will be my choice. In fact I prefer denatured alcohol unless the original finish is shellac.

-TL

burrhead · July 21, 2015, 11:14 PM

Murphy's Oil Soap. It's made for cleaning wood furniture and won't harm the finish.

July 19, 2015, 09:11 PM	#1
candlejackstraw Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2015 Posts: 176	Cleaning old wood stock without damaging finish. So I have an old winchester model 67, from the 1930's, one of the first few years they were produced. I'd like to clean the stock without removing the original finish. Afterwards I would like to apply some gun stock wax. I don't want to refinish the gun or affect the collectors value. What would you recommend to use to get the black oily grimy spots off of the stock? I was recommended pledge, laquer thinner and other chemicals.

July 20, 2015, 10:20 AM	#4
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Try "Restore" Whenever I encounter a stock like yours, I initially wipe it down with Mineral Spirits on an old wash cloth. Then; 1) I apply a product that I started using for about the last six months. It's called "Restore" by Pledge and come in a 16oz. spray bottle. Just follow the directions on the bottle. The results may surprise you and you have not compromised your original finish but it's not permanent and you may have to reapply later ..... 2) If I want to get into the surface to not only remove dug in dirt and such as well as "light" surface scratches. I us a combination of plastic polish and shoe paste wax like Kiwi. I go slow and easy and avoid over doing any sharp edges. Good Luck and Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

July 20, 2015, 10:48 AM	#5
Dave P Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 1999 Location: North Florida Posts: 1,346	Mineral Spirits on an old wash cloth. or 0000 steel wool. Very gentle to the wood. __________________ I think this country is screwed.

July 21, 2015, 11:14 PM	#7
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	Murphy's Oil Soap. It's made for cleaning wood furniture and won't harm the finish. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

July 19, 2015, 09:12 PM	#2
candlejackstraw Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2015 Posts: 176	It looks darker in real life

July 19, 2015, 09:29 PM	#3
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	A lot of spray cleaners, such as 409, will clean any dirt from the finish. Just clean the cleaner off with a damp rag, wipe it dry, and wax it. There are some spray type furniture polishes, which have cleaners in them, that will work also.

July 21, 2015, 09:48 AM	#6
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,931	Wood doesn't do well with water, so I wouldn't use any water based cleaner. Mineral spirit or turpentine will be my choice. In fact I prefer denatured alcohol unless the original finish is shellac. -TL