Steaming A Stock?

[lionking]

I've seen guys put their M1 stocks in the dishwasher and or use a damp cloth with a ironer and have incredible results at getting rid of dings on the wood.

What about K31 or beat up mauser wood,wouldn't this work for those also?Anybody done it?

 

[DiN_BLiX]

I wouldnt put it in the dish washer (I learned the hard way) not because of poor results, it works great, but your dishes will smell like linseed oil for a month. Damp rag and iron is the way to go.

 

[geojap]

I put my birch M1 stock from the CMP into the dishwasher and it removed virtually all the grease and dings. I think I ran it through two cycles, on hot. With soap. It worked great. Afterwards I just applied some linseed oil and tung oil, and gave it a very light sanding with fine grit paper to knock down the grain some, and it was good to go. I guess it just depends on what is in the stock to start with.

 

[DnPRK]

I use a damp cotton cloth and steam iron.

 

[lionking]

yeah I have seen photos of guys who did their M1 stocks that way,have you guys tried any other types of gun stocks and wood?

I'm asking because Swiss 1911,K31,certain mausers and Finnish M39's.....or even commercial guns often have chewed up wood and if this works for a M1 it should work for others too right?

And then their are bayonet grips and other items that might benefit from this...

for example,here is a Chilean mauser,could steaming bring out the cartouche more and eliminate some of the dings also?Do you need to refinish at all after steaming always,as in staining?

 

[Tokugawa]

When dealing with a collectible , be gentle! There is NO WAY putting a rifle stock in the dishwasher is going to help it, long term.. It will absorb water, and eventually shrink, usually more than original, and OFTEN CRACKING in the process. That stock has spent a long long time getting into equilibrium with it's environment, and now it will go thru a stress greater than when it was first cut and put in the kiln. Yes, I am quite sure it will get rid of the grime- So will paint stripper in a dip tank- both BAD ideas if you want any semblance of patina or originality. I would as soon stick one of my Chileans thru a wide belt sander as a dishwasher.
Over on parallax bills site there is a lot of info on cleaning old stocks.

 

[Tokugawa]

PS- steaming will get rid of the stamped cartuche the same way it will get rid of dents- by swelling the wood fibers.

 

[lionking]

I doubt a Mauser stock would fit in a dishwasher anyway but what about attacking certain areas with a iron and cloth?For instance towards the buttstock is often a point where alot of damage occurs.

Though this may make a area lok different than the rest,that isn't good either...I guess.

 

[Cosmoline]

It can be done, but what's the point. I love leaving the old battle scars on there.

 

[lionking]

PS- steaming will get rid of the stamped cartuche the same way it will get rid of dents- by swelling the wood fibers.

I thought about that then again I read JAS after steaming his Garand stock said he could then see the defense stamp alot more clearly.

Cosmoline,yeah in a way it gives character true,but on the other hand I love to have choice specimens if I can.

 

[Hanzerik]

I just did this yesterday with a Yugo SKS stock, came out nice and clean. Ran the washer for two cleaning cycles afterwards to get rid of any crap that may be left over from washing the stock.

 

[30Cal]

I can't vouche for the dishwasher method.

Steaming will raise dents plus oil and grime in the area around the dent. so you end up with a dark bruise highlighted by the cleaner area around it. IME, you're committed to sanding and therefor pretty much a complete and total top-to-bottom refinish once you bring your wife's iron into action.