Cleaning Grungy Winchester Gunstocks
I am helping a widow sell five old Winchesters, all Pre-64s: 3 Models 70 and 2 94s. The earliest was made in 1948 and the latest in 1953. They are all shooter-grade guns that have been used, but not abused. The husband did a great job of taking care of the metal, but the stocks never appeared to get much care--probably wiped down after a hunt, at best. The guns then sat is a closet for 7 years after the husband's death and collected a fair amount of dust, spider webs, and lint. The stocks aren't scratched, gouged, dented, or cracked; checkering is sharp; and the wood retains the original finish, but the only way I can describe them is "grungy"--dark, dirty, and somewhat sticky feeling from all the oil, sweat, and dirt they've been subjected to over the years.
I want to present these rifles for sale in the best possible condition and believe there's some room to do that by cleaning up the stocks. Question is, how do I do that without removing the original finish? Earlier threads mention Ballistol or Formula 409. Also as suggested, I've pressed my thumb into the finish of each and it didn't leave an impression, so the finish hasn't softened. What do you all recommend using to clean them up and is there any particular technic that works best? Anything to avoid?
Thanks in advance for any help.
I want to present these rifles for sale in the best possible condition and believe there's some room to do that by cleaning up the stocks. Question is, how do I do that without removing the original finish? Earlier threads mention Ballistol or Formula 409. Also as suggested, I've pressed my thumb into the finish of each and it didn't leave an impression, so the finish hasn't softened. What do you all recommend using to clean them up and is there any particular technic that works best? Anything to avoid?
Thanks in advance for any help.
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Murphys Oil soap 0 -
Murphy's Oil Soap is good. Any MILD soap solution will work, i.e., dishwashing liquid soap. I've been told Lemon furniture cleaner will make the wood shine. Also, you can try just rubbing them down with paint thinner or turpentine. GI wood was finished with linseed oil, so a cleaner of the same may be appropriate. Whatever you use be sure to wipe it off. Some experimenting may be in order.
Let us know what worked for you so we all can gain some knowledge.0 -
I was just doing a little more research on my own and stumbled upon this passage from the CMP's website: "All that the new owner needs to do to clean a collector stock of crud and whatever else is to get some cheese cloth, the funny open weave stuff, and use some pure tung oil to wet it. As the wood is rubbed with the cloth and tung oil, the new oil will dissolve the old crud that is dried and stuck on. The cheese cloth will collect the crud and carry it away as the cloth is turned. There is nothing more needed to clean a real USGI stock in near perfect condition. ANY complicated formula product that is used will take away finish, stain, wood and so on."
OK, CMP is addressing M1 stocks. Thoughts on this process for a Model 70 or 94?0 -
On old Winchesters I wipe the wood down with a 50 / 50 mixture of turpentine and boiled linseed oil. A soft cloth usually does the trick but if wood is super grimy a course weave helps a lot. Let it sit wet for an hour or so then rub off with a clean cloth. 0 -
I've used Casey's gun stock cleaner and conditioner on the flat stock surfaces and a tooth brush (or a brush with nylon bristles) with linseed oil for the cleaning crevices and checkering. Then wipe off the excess with a blue car shop paper towel and let air dry. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by navc130
Murphy's Oil Soap is good. Any MILD soap solution will work, i.e., dishwashing liquid soap. I've been told Lemon furniture cleaner will make the wood shine. Also, you can try just rubbing them down with paint thinner or turpentine. GI wood was finished with linseed oil, so a cleaner of the same may be appropriate. Whatever you use be sure to wipe it off. Some experimenting may be in order.
Let us know what worked for you so we all can gain some knowledge.
I would be careful with using liquid dish detergent, only use a very weak solution, it has a surfactant that could dull the finish.0 -
quote:Originally posted by truthful
On old Winchesters I wipe the wood down with a 50 / 50 mixture of turpentine and boiled linseed oil. A soft cloth usually does the trick but if wood is super grimy a course weave helps a lot. Let it sit wet for an hour or so then rub off with a clean cloth.
Exactly, I've used this on old Winchesters and military stocks. The old adage, if you strip a stock, put it on once a day for a week, once a week for a month, then once a month for a year. Just cleaning an old stock, do as has been mentioned. It just makes the stock look well cared for.
W.D.0 -
there has been good advice given However there is one great product That has not been mentioned Ballistol it is a OIL like product but biodegradeable nontoxic cleans & protects all METALS Leather rubber
and wood no carcinogens sold in the usa by"washington trading Co. Kitty Hawk NC"It cleans Wood better than anything I have ever used0 -
If you have proper screwdrivers and tools then pull the wood off and clean/oil all the metal too. 70's and 94's are easy enough to strip and reassemble. Happiness is a clean gun.
You are a nice guy for helping out. Take pic's of the stamps while they are apart.0 -
I'd try to clean them by wiping them down with a clean dry cloth. And rubbing any sticky area until it was as dry and smooth as the rest of the wood. 0
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