Getting Kroil out of stocks

[Todd_K]

Just picked up a decent 5-screw Highway Patrolman, that the previous owner bathed in Kroil. Every inch of this thing, inside and out, was wet with the stuff. I took the grips off, and it was the same story underneath. I know that wood and petrol-based oil doesn't mix, so I'd really appreciate any tips on getting as much of it out as possible, w/o ruining the nice patina of the wood. Impossible?

Thanks in advance,
Todd

 

[Todd_K]

Just picked up a decent 5-screw Highway Patrolman, that the previous owner bathed in Kroil. Every inch of this thing, inside and out, was wet with the stuff. I took the grips off, and it was the same story underneath. I know that wood and petrol-based oil doesn't mix, so I'd really appreciate any tips on getting as much of it out as possible, w/o ruining the nice patina of the wood. Impossible?

Thanks in advance,
Todd

 

[toroflow1]

I use Acetone to strip grips of oils and their original finish. Don't know if that will screw up the "patina" or not.

 

[Sgt 127]

The oil is not really good for the wood. I think I would be more worried about getting the oil out and preserving the grips as a whole than the patina they may have. I too have used acetone. Drop the grips in a shallow covered bowl of acetone and let them sit for a while. How long is up to you. 15 minutes to a couple days depending on how nasty they are.

You will see the acetone change color from the gunk thats coming out (along with the finish on the grips) Lightly brush with a worn toothbrush every once in awhile until they appear to be about as clean as they are going to get.

Let them dry out completely and then lightly buff up the smooth wood with 0000 steel wool. I would avoid the checkering altogether.

To refinish, I like satin Tung oil. Rub in a few coats and you should have a nice soft durable finish back on the grips. Good luck.

 

[devilfrog1911]

First, I'm no expert but before you go the acetone route and the potential damage to the original finish, you may want to wrap the stocks in newspaper and put them on the dashboard of your car with the windows up on a sunny day. The heat from the sun will draw some of the kroil out and it will soak into the newspaper. I've had good result with this method for getting cosmoline out of gun stocks that have sat in the stuff for years.

 

[toroflow1]

In my experience, acetone completly removes all finish, oil, etc. After you pull it out of its acetone bath, the stocks dry off immediately and there is no residue left. I was kind of suprised the first time I acetone bathed a pair of stocks.

 

[Todd_K]

Thanks for the input--I'm testing out the solvent bath(lacquer thinner is all I had)on a set of greeeezy grips from a well-used Brazilian M1917. Turned the solvent a nice shade of brown...

 

[Honda-doug]

I have had some success removing oil from military rifle stocks by covering with cheap kitty litter (pack in a box or bag the part) and putting the wood in a very warm place like a car dash or an attic. The clay absorbs the oil. kinda hard to do in the wintertime unless you maybe have a coal furnace or a boiler room, etc. It will take a while but costs little to try.

 

[RonS]

If the stocks are worth saving, I would not use a solvent, as most will remove the original finish.

I would try packing them in something absorbent with gentle heat if you want to save the finish. Change the absorbent material often as oil is like heat, it will seek equilibrium, moving to which ever material is dryer.

 

[N-QUEST]

I have had success in removing heavy oil/grease accumulation with DL Handcleaner. Apply, work it in and wipe with a damp cloth. Wrap in cloth and/or newspaper and let dry. This should not effect original finish, but test first. Good luck

 

[Combat]

I have used a product called "Mean Green" on really oily, cosmo soaked rifle stocks an wiped them up with paper towels.It seamed to work fairly well.You may have to do this a few times to get it all out of the wood.

 

[Longbow]

Brownells sells calcium carbonate, also known as "whitening." It is used to absorbe oil in wood. I sent for some- turned out to be a bottle of white chalk-line powder. I felt like a putz! Should have googled "calcium carbonate." Have not tried it yet. Heads up- you pay a lot less for chalk than you do for "whitening."

 

[tdan]

If you are of the opinion that your wood stocks are simply soaked in oil, I would try a degreaser that is less agressive than acetone. Keep in mind that acetone will attack even an epoxy finish.........Try CRC Brakleen.......Dries very fast and does not strip any factory finish that I've come across!