Reco on cleaning smooth walnut stocks

[ToddG]

Got me a Brazilian! A Brazil contract 1917 [1937] .45 ACP serialed to the '38 shipment.

A bit rusty, particularly under the stocks, but she's getting a good Kroil soaking now and then a scrub with Big 45 so we'll see how that goes. May have been re-parked but she ain't never gonna be a beauty queen so I'm not concerned.

The smooth walnut stocks are pretty dark and dirty. Any suggestion on cleaning and lightening a bit? Don't want to sand them. A bit of a rinse and scrubbing with a scuff pad got the rust off the backs but I want to take more care on the fronts.

[weatherby]

You should see what other recommend.
Me it would be Dawn dishwashing liquid and damp sponge.

[DWFAN]

Mineral spirits for cleaning. I advise against any use of water or detergent for cleaning unless you are going to refinish them. Rubber gloves, 000 3M scrub pad. Be gentile, blow dry with compressed air. A paste wax will give it the patina it deserves.

DW

[stu1ritter]

DW, how do you keep from getting a wax buildup in the checkering?

thanks,

Stu

[H Richard]

Stu, Bazillions don't have any checkering.

[bananaman]

I have had good results with automotive polishing compound making stocks look better. Bob

[DWFAN]

Originally Posted by stu1ritter

DW, how do you keep from getting a wax buildup in the checkering?

thanks,

Stu

I use a tooth brush from Maine. It has less bristles than a teeth brush. Seriously I do use a tooth brush and very little wax on the bristles. aggressively rub in to prevent any buildup and use a horsehair shoe brush to buff out Then rub out with one of your wife's very best terry cloth hand towels. She'll only get mad once.

DW

[DWFAN]

Originally Posted by H Richard

Stu, Bazillions don't have any checkering.

I don't think anybody got that.

[DWFAN]

Originally Posted by weatherby

You should see what other recommend.
Me it would be Dawn dishwashing liquid and damp sponge.

I do that when I'm going to refinish a pair that are dirty and oily. Except I use a scrub brush.

Paul

[stu1ritter]

Originally Posted by DWFAN

I don't think anybody got that.

DW, I didn't want to get it.

Stu
and thanks for the teeth brush info, that helps.

[weatherby]

Originally Posted by DWFAN

Then rub out with one of your wife's very best terry cloth hand towels. She'll only get mad once.

DW

It's how long she stays mad that might give me pause

[montezumaz]

Murphy's Oil Soap just might do the trick.

[DWFAN]

Originally Posted by montezumaz

Murphy's Oil Soap just might do the trick.

Tried it a couple of times. It's formulated for finished wood so it's not strong enough for what I do but might suffice for a light cleaning.

DW

[long colt frazier]

Originally Posted by DWFAN

Tried it a couple of times. It's formulated for finished wood so it's not strong enough for what I do but might suffice for a light cleaning.

DW

Besides that it smells bad.
Mark

[long colt frazier]

Originally Posted by DWFAN

Tried it a couple of times. It's formulated for finished wood so it's not strong enough for what I do but might suffice for a light cleaning.

DW

Besides that it smells bad.
Mark

[iPac]

Originally Posted by ToddG

A bit rusty, particularly under the stocks, but she's getting a good Kroil soaking now and then a scrub with Big 45 so we'll see how that goes. May have been re-parked but she ain't never gonna be a beauty queen so I'm not concerned.

*WARNING*

Make sure you soak the gun really well in Kroil or other CLP and for a long enough period of time to penetrate and soften all of the rust thoroughly BEFORE using the Big45 pad.

I say this because the Big45 pad WILL scratch bluing if too much pressure is used. They claim it won't scratch even the finest of bluing, but it will and they should warn about it.

First hand experience, trying to clean some freckling off my old duty Detective Special. It was coated in CLP for a couple days but the spots just wouldn't easily rub off. So I applied some moderate pressure in order to successfully scrape the freckling off and when all was said and done I could now see fine marks in the bluing, scratches.

It's not overly terrible and not super noticeable, but it's there and you can see it if looking. Just want to warn everyone that even the Big45 pad needs to be used cautiously. After this experience, I think a ChoreBoy solid copper pad or 0000 brass/copper wool would be a better choice, or even a solid piece of copper formed into a chisel for scrapping rust off. I plan to save my Big45 for bore cleaning now.

[ToddG]

Originally Posted by iPac

...the Big45 pad WILL scratch bluing if too much pressure is used.

Yeah, I found that out the hard way last year. Not an expensive lesson on that particular gun, but a lesson nonetheless.