[andy]

I've got a milsurp rifle and would like to know what I should use to clean up the stock. The rifle is free of cosmoline but looks like it has some ground in dirt and grease on the stock. I would like to remove it without damaging the original finish. What do you think would work best?

[jrhead75]

I've started using Murphy's Oil Soap wipes. Just wipe down your stock, then dry it with a soft, dry cloth or paper towel.

They get lots of crud off and seem really gentle, but just to be safe, try it on a small section of the stock in question first.

[cabinetman]

One of the best ways to rid your stock of grime and grunge that's embedded in the finish is to simply scrub it with mineral spirits and 0000 steel wool. Mineral spirits will not harm or soften any shellac, oil, or lacquer finish. It will loosen surface grime, however, and really clean up the stock.

If you're interested, visit us over at Parallax. We've got a forum dedicated just to stock cleaning and preservation.

Rome

http://pub113.ezboard.com/fparallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforumsfrm34

[andy]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm new to this milsurp stuff and appreciate any good advice I can get.
Rome, I went and checked out the Parallax board and it is a gold mine of info. Thanks again!

[clint1911a1]

After you've cleaned the stock, apply some boiled linseed oil with a soft rag. The linseed oil soaks into the wood and makes it waterproof and less likely to swell in damp weather. This is what the military used to do back when they had wooden stocks. ;)