Improved D stock clean

[watchsapart]

Just picked up a 1912 improved D. Straight grip stock is filthy dirty some quite ingrained. How best should I sympathetically clean it in the first instance? Should I use stock oil on it? Cheers paul

[micky2]

Hi Paul l have used whitespirit in the past to get out greasey hand grime, and then just wood polish to finish off.
ATB,
Mick.

[nige346]

I used fine wire wool and meths on mine, wiped the sludge off after & then oiled with red root, came up superb, and it was in a real state when I got it, the red root really made the grain pop whilst gentle use of the wire wool cleaned it without removing all its age (darker round the pistol grip etc), I've seen many of these old stocks over cleaned, looking like new and out of keeping with the rest of the rifle.

[watchsapart]

Thanks guys I will try White spirit I think.

[vbull]

I used fine wire wool and meths on mine, wiped the sludge off after & then oiled with red root, came up superb, and it was in a real state when I got it, the red root really made the grain pop whilst gentle use of the wire wool cleaned it without removing all its age (darker round the pistol grip etc), I've seen many of these old stocks over cleaned, looking like new and out of keeping with the rest of the rifle.

What is red root ? Thanks....

[Garvin]

What is red root ? Thanks....

This:

[silva]

I wouldn't use white spirits on it. It will strip any original finish remaining and make the stock look bleak. If its actually dirty and gummy - I would very lightly go over it with warm soapy water, you can use a toothbrush on the chequering. Then let it air dry and then very gently finest grade wirewool any areas without finish remaining, then oil it with boiled linseed or a commercial non synthetic gunstock oil. Alkanet oil is good stuff, but not too much of it.

[watchsapart]

Good advice Silva. I will do that. Thanks Paul.

I wouldn't use white spirits on it. It will strip any original finish remaining and make the stock look bleak. If its actually dirty and gummy - I would very lightly go over it with warm soapy water, you can use a toothbrush on the chequering. Then let it air dry and then very gently finest grade wirewool any areas without finish remaining, then oil it with boiled linseed or a commercial non synthetic gunstock oil. Alkanet oil is good stuff, but not too much of it.