S&W 38 Special CTG grip clean up problem

[Lacomvar]

I have my father's SW 38 Special CTG that he carried as a police officer in the '50s. Gun is in great shape, but dad had large hands and taped the square butt grip with an old type electrical tape, not plastic (there was none back then like the plastic stuff we have today). The grip is walnut and is checkered. There is a residue I need to remove from the wood. I'm wondering if anybody can provide me with advice on how to get that miserable, sticky tape off the grip without damaging the walnut grip. In a way I hate to take the tape off the gun, but it's mine now and I plan to clean up the revolver. Much sentimental value with this gun as he won many competitions at the police range.

 

[Oro]

Try goo gone and after spraying it on, brush it vigorously with a bristle toothbrush (not wire brush). This may strike the balance you need between dissolving the glue residue and not damaging the finish. I think it will.

If it works, then scrub it with soap and water with the brush to clean it and neutralize and residue. If this or similar tricks fail, you can search the forum for grip refinishing threads and read about how to do it with acetone stripping and a tung oil or other refinish (stock from S&W then was I believe a mix of linseed oil and turpentine 50/50, but tung oil goes on better and looks just as good).

 

[Oyeboten]

Lighter Fluid...Bristle Brush...and any Lighter Fluid remaining in the Woodwill evaporate out after...


Most old 'Tape' adhesives will dissolve with Lighter Fluid...even if may take a while of remaining moistened...

Naphta or Acetone similarly...would probably work well...

 

[Old Fuff]

(stock from S&W then was I believe a mix of linseed oil and turpentine 50/50, but tung oil goes on better and looks just as good).

World War Two era stocks on Victory Models were oil finished as requiered by Army specifications, but later commercial stocks were lacquered.

 

[rcmodel]

Try lighter fluid or Naphtha.

Do not try acetone as it will take the finish off.

I would very strongly discourage you from trying to refinish them.

You simply cannot do the factory grip checkering any good at all.

rc

 

[Nicky Santoro]

Your best bet is mineral spirits AKA paint thinner. It will soften the crud and will not damage the finish as some products previously mentioned will.

 

[Lacomvar]

Old tape on revolver grip

Appreciate all the help. I've got most of those possible fixit items in the garage. Will post results before and after with photos (if this newbee can figure out how to transfer dig photos).

 

[Oyeboten]

rcmodel had said -

Do not try acetone as it will take the finish off.

Oooops!

And he is correct...

Acetone would dissolve any remaining original Finish...where Lighter Fluid would not.


Acetone can be good for 'pulling' old, excess, Lubricating Oils out of Wood...but will dissolve old Oil Finishes or Lacquers and so on also.


So, as for the old Tape adhesive...Lighter Fluid would be best.

 

[zxcvbob]

An oldie but goodie: turpentine.

 

[Bentonville]

I have had some luck with Homer Formby's Lemon Oil available from Lowe's.

 

[BCRider]

I had not heard about the lighter fluid. That's a good one to add to the list.

My own recomendation just because it's a handy low flash point solvent to have around is get some mineral spirits which is the same as the low odor housepaint thinner mentioned above. It's the stuff you use in oil based or enamel house paint. Any paint or hardware store will have it. That and a bit of scrubbing with an old toothbrush and the goo will go away pronto. Wipe after and let dry overnight.

That old stuff was also often called "friction tape".