So, I got a silver grip adapter from a fellow forum member. Got it polished up and ready to put on blingy and I decide the grips could use freshening.

I put a bit less than a tablespoon of Murphy's Oil Soap in a cup of water and scrubbed with an old toothbrush.

That stripped the finish right off. So I cleaned them the rest of the way with turpentine and am trying tung oil to refinish.

Got the first coat on and they look great wet. Once they dry I'll run over them with some steel wool and apply a second coat.

I really like the Tung Oil finish myself and that is what I re-finish older Magna grips with. The older Magna grips did not have the ultra glossy finish they applied in the 80's. I use Hopes 100% Tung Oil and apply 5 or 6 coats with a very light 0000 steel wooling between coats. The last coat I leave alone to give a nice soft sheen. It lasts quite a while on my carry guns, and when they need a quick sprucing up, I hit them with the 0000 steel wool and apply another few coats right on top. Been doing it that way for many years - I think you will like the results.

Chief38

You really don't want turpentine in the wood underneath the tung oil. It might keep the oil soft. I would start again by soaking (submerge) the grips in acetone for a day to disolve the oil and turpentine. Once you let them air dry for a few hours, you will see the wood totally dried out like a piece of driftwood. That is what you want, bone dry wood for the oil. Then you can apply all your coats of oil over several days. I let mine dry for a day, steel wool it, blow the wool hairs off with a compessor or compressed air (so there is none attached to the wood) and apply another coat of oil. After around 6-7 coats, you can decide if you want them shiny or buffed on the last coat.

ViperR:

I understand your reasoning here, but I would be hesitant to soak them again for an entire day. I would think a 15 - 30 minute scrub-down with a toothbrush while submerged in the Acetone would be good. Assuming the medallions are still in place, I would be afraid that soaking them in Acetone for a full 24 hours would ruin them. Just my opinion of course.........

Regards,
Chief38

Went one better than acetone to dry them. I used laquer thinner. It's one of the best degreasers I know of.

Nasty stuff though. Have to be careful when using it.

I have, and still do, soak all day in acetone. Does not hurt anything like the medallions or the screw hardware. I want that bone dry condition, but that is just me. Maybe over kill, but anything like thinner that can linger in the wood and react with my finish is what I want gone.
If it works for you and my way is over kill then go with what you like. I'm just passing along what works for me.
We have to see pics when you're done. We like pics here to oogle over.

Will certainly share pics. I'm pleased with progress so far. In fact after the rub down with steel wool they look almost as good as when I started this ordeal. I need to pick up a stiff brush to knock the glossy out of the checkering.

The tung oil says 24 hours between coats and I can see why. I could still smell it curing this morning.

I was so inspired I decided to have a go at this old set off my 1948 M&P. Not cleaning up any of the dings. Just doing the finish to see what I can come up with.

Attached Images

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You can soak in acetone as long as you like without any damage to the grips. A 1 hour soak will require more brushing to remove the old finish (I use a soft toothbrush). An overnight soak requires less brushing. They will dry in a few minutes once removed from the acetone.

Did you use pure tung oil, or Tung Oil Finish? This is my M14-2 that I refinished the grips with 2 coats of Tung Oil Finish. More than 2 coats will make them shine more.

I use HOPES BRAND 100% Tung Oil.

Well, here are my results.

Got a new (used) grip adapter

I've tried different finishes but for some reason keep going back to Tru-Oil. this is a set I refinished for my 28-2. They turned out like I had hoped.

The more you do the less concerned you are about the stocks when you acquire another gun. It's become part of the "newness" fun now, refinishing them how I want. Kind of my personal touch.

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