Proper way to clean and treat old wood ...

[M100C]

All,
I have searched this forum, and cannot find exactly what I am looking for, so here goes:

I just picked up and old (mfg'ed 1915) Winchester 1912, 16 ga. shotgun. Love the gun! Mechanicals are very nice and tight, bore looks good, and should shoot well, but ...

The buttstock has patches where it still has its original finish (lacquer or varnish), and other places where the finish is worn off (bare wood). Surprisingly, the buttstock is in good shape; it doesn't have many dents, gouges, scratches, etc. Just honest wear.

What can I use/how can I:
a) clean the stock/forearm to remove soils in the unfinished areas (where it is in the grain of the wood) while
b) not removing the remaining finish?

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[dirtyjim]

the best way to clean an old stock with out doing to much damage to the original finish is with raw linseed oil and paper towels.
you'll probably have to order it if you don't have a woodworking specialty shop nearby.
take a sponge or something absorbent and saturate it with raw linseed oil.
wipe the stock with it then immediately wipe it off with a paper towel. use very little pressure so you dont remove the the original finish or patina, the dirt and crud will slightly lift and get removed by the paper towel.

 

[rcmodel]

I use 0000 Super Fine steel wool & Lemon Oil Furnature Polish.

Cuts the old grime as well as it can be cut without harming the old finish.
Unless you get carried away and rub in one place too long.

rc

 

[Nicky Santoro]

I've had good luck using mineral spirits and a cheap 2" natural bristle brush.

 

[GCBurner]

There's some stuff called "Kramer's Best Antique Improver" that's used a lot for restoring old oil finished gunstocks, without stripping and refinishing.
http://www.kramerize.com/natural_way.htm

It's not cheap, but I've tried it on a couple of old rifles, and it works pretty well.

 

[rodinal220]

I second Kramers.

 

[Samcro]

Murphy's Soap oil & a soft rag , once ot is clean dry it let it dry for at least 24 Hours , then you can hand rub linseed oil back on it or the ol hand rub Bees wax for stocks . gives them an excellent finish.

Sam

 

[savage23]

The proper thing to do would be to remove what's left of the original lacquer finish with lacquer thinner and reaply a lacquer finish topcoat, that way you RESTORE the wood to original finish.