Author Topic: Any tips for restoring oil soaked rifle stocks ?  (Read 1913 times)

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Offline Gaz-52

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Any tips for restoring oil soaked rifle stocks ?
« on: October 13, 2011, 04:19:38 AM »
            I recently acquired a 1880 Martini Enfield .303 Brit. which had been thoroughly oiled before it was put in storage 50+ years ago. The furniture is quite dark as you would expect. Does anyone know of a way to release the oil from the wood without dulling the various armory insignia stamped in the stock ? 
            Some one suggested "oven cleaner", but I would like a second opinion & maybe a third before I try anything. I would hate to Bugger it up.
     Cheers Gaz. 

Offline AtlLaw

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Re: Any tips for restoring oil soaked rifle stocks ?
« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2011, 08:07:33 AM »
Some one suggested "oven cleaner", but I would like a second opinion & maybe a third before I try anything. I would hate to Bugger it up.

I've used oven cleaner to strip stocks on literally dozens of rifles and have done so for more years then I remember.  As a matter of fact, I've got several more rifles that going to do the same thing to as soon as I get the time!   ;D
 
A number of the rifles I stripped with OC are still in my possession and, after decades, none show any adverse effects from the process.
 
If the stock gets "buggered" up I don't think, as if anyone cares what I think,  ;)  it will be because you use oven cleaner to strip the gunk off.
 
I'm sure you will get opinions to the contrary.   :)
Richard
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Offline Lon371

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Re: Any tips for restoring oil soaked rifle stocks ?
« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2011, 09:18:00 AM »
 Oven cleaner works. So does a hot steam cleaner(with caution) You have to watch getting to close and damaging the wood.
 
 One site had a plan for a oven type device to sweat it out. you use a 55 gal barrel. Mount 2 or 3 light fixtures in it, with bulbs. set the barrel so it stands in the middle and put the lid on mostly covering the opening.
 
 Make sure you do your cleaning of what ever method outside. That grease stinks and stains ;)
 
 And lastly post pics.
 
Lonny

Offline Gaz-52

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Re: Any tips for restoring oil soaked rifle stocks ?
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2011, 10:28:41 AM »
   I am reassured by your comments . :) I am still working on getting the barrel clean so I can put a few rounds down range ,but I will take some photos before I start to dress her up on the outside. Then I will have to read up "how to post photo "stickie ::) , could be interesting . The rifle is not in bad condition really, apart from the crud that is. The cleaning rod and sling swivel from the front of the trigger guard  are missing , but hey , I am only half her age  and  I have a few missing "bits" myself  ;D .
            cheers Gaz.     

Offline Huffmanite

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Re: Any tips for restoring oil soaked rifle stocks ?
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2011, 05:39:33 AM »
A product I use to deal with oil soaked stocks is one I found at Lowes, an Olympic product called Oxy-deck cleaner....stuff reminds you of laundry degerent.  Mix with warm water and brush it on with a stiff bristle brush, let work for a few minutes, rinse off with warm water and then rub down wood with a clean cloth or paper towel.  I repeat this process a few times till satisfied with results.
 
Oxydeck cleaner, as name suggests, is for cleaning wooden decks.....so safe for wood.  As good example of its effectiveness, is before using Oxydeck cleaner, dispite using mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, funiture restorer and etc, the wood would still contain enough oil to prevent any sanding.  Sandpaper would gum up quickly.  But with Oxydeck, oil in wood was reduced enough for me to sand without paper gumming up and had sawdust from sanding. 

Offline Darrell Davis

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Re: Any tips for restoring oil soaked rifle stocks ?
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2011, 01:57:43 PM »
Not sure what it would do on your stock marking, but acetone will soak the oil out of oil soaked wood.
 
Fill a container with the liquid and put the affected part of the stock in the acetone.  Once the acetone begins to take on a lot of color, start with fresh acetone and repeat the process.
 
Keep em coming!
 
Crusty Deary Ol'Coot
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Offline Flash

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Re: Any tips for restoring oil soaked rifle stocks ?
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2011, 09:00:53 AM »
Not sure what it would do on your stock marking, but acetone will soak the oil out of oil soaked wood.
 
Fill a container with the liquid and put the affected part of the stock in the acetone.  Once the acetone begins to take on a lot of color, start with fresh acetone and repeat the process.
 
Keep em coming!
 
Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

This is the product I use and it works beautifully.
What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger!

Offline JJ Kelly

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Re: Any tips for restoring oil soaked rifle stocks ?
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2011, 12:20:46 PM »
When the wife isn't around put it in the dish washer.
I had a enfield MK4 #1, took stock off and put it the
dish washer with just dish washer soap, it came out
perfect; no oil, just bare wood. Then of course really
clean and rinse out the dish washer really good.

Offline Darrell Davis

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Re: Any tips for restoring oil soaked rifle stocks ?
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2011, 03:51:10 PM »
Very brave man that JJ Kelly, or maybe just plane foolish  ;)   :o ??? :P :-\ ;D  LOL
Keep em coming!
 
Crusty Deary Ol'Coot
 
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Offline DAT19K

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Re: Any tips for restoring oil soaked rifle stocks ?
« Reply #9 on: November 24, 2011, 11:28:26 PM »
i've put oil soaked stocks in a black trash bag and set it inside a vehicle with windows up on a hot kansas summer day. it'll get to oozing. i know this doesn't help you being november.
 
 
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/
 
try this place for your missing parts.

Offline Gaz-52

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Re: Any tips for restoring oil soaked rifle stocks ?
« Reply #10 on: November 30, 2011, 11:21:56 PM »
i've put oil soaked stocks in a black trash bag and set it inside a vehicle with windows up on a hot kansas summer day. it'll get to oozing. i know this doesn't help you being november.
 
 
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/
 
try this place for your missing parts.
Thanks for the handy tip DAT19K . November is starting to warm up here in Aussie, I might give it a try . I am still trying to clean years of fouling from the barrel :( so that will leave plenty of time , till february if necessary ;D , for the heat to do its job.
     Gaz.