Making Wood Stock look better?

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jwrowland77

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I'm not sure if this is where I should post my question or not.

I have an old rifle that was my Pawpaws before he passed. The stock still looks good but I want to make it look better.

I'm not looking to refinish the stock, as I want to keep all the nicks and dents right where they are, I am just looking for something to clean the stock real good and apply something to the stock to make it look a little newer.

Ideas?
 
Not knowing what kind of finish was on it I would first recommend letting us know what kind of rifle and post some pictures before you start to make sure it isn't some sort of extremely rare or valuable rifle. Otherwise I would do an oil scrub using BLO and 0000 Steel Wool. This would remove the dirt and not harm whatever finish was on it. Just wet down the steel wood with the BLO and lightly rub it in a circular motion making sure that the steel wool stays wet. Then wipe the stock down to remove the excess oil and let it dry for 24-48 hours and then see how it looks.
 
If I may.... still using the 0000 steel wool and BLO, get some Rottenstone, apply a "small" amount on the SW, then rub lightly. This Rottenstone can be picked up at Midway, it won't remove the finish, just clean things up. I also might suggest going with the grain of the wood, so you don't "change" things too much. I used this on an old Rem. #31 .22 cal rifle, it didn't make the finish bright shiny looking, more of a dull satin look. If you want a more polished look, after its dried, use a hunk of burlap and rub it.
 
Again, not knowing what type finish is on it makes it hard to answer your question. If it is a milsup the "finish" is likely Linseed oil rubbed in thoroughly. If it is then clean as above and start rubbing with just a small amount of oil. The more you rub it the "purdier" it will get. Did my M1A and it came out beautifully.
 
It's an old Marlin 990 micro groove bought in 1979. I tried to attach a picture here but it wouldn't let me. It says it attached already in another thread I posted. That thread is In Honor of my Pawpaw.
 
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It probably was. I don't think my Pawpaw would have done anything extra to it considering it was his oil field gun for shooting coyotes and snakes in west Texas. It was probably just sat in the seat next to him in the truck or hanging in the back window.
 
That stock looks pretty good already.

Start out with a good cleaning with 0000 Super Fine steel wool & Lemon Oil Furniture Polish.
Follow with a buffing with a soft rag.

It will look like new again.

rc
 
Yeah rc, I mainly just want to knock 31years of crud off the stock from having either sat under a bed or a storage unit and nobody having used it. I just got it from my Aunt and she never took it out. Which I don't blame her..it was her fathers.
 
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