Today I found and bought a 4" 66-2. It came with S&W target grips that look to be original. They are dated June 15, 1984. They are dirty with a dull hazy finish. How to best clean them so as to remove the filth and retain the original finish? I have turpentine, acetone, mineral spirits and Formby's Furniture Refinisher on hand. Suggestions, information, etc. will be appreciated. I do not want to mess these grips up as they are very nicely fitted and exhibit a striking grain pattern. Sincerely. brucev.
How to best clean dirty grips?
- Thread starter brucev
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ogilvyspecial
Member
I'm sure you'll get far better answers than the one I'm about to give, but here goes.
I always just use Dawn dishwashing liquid in warm water and a soft bristle brush for the checkering & rag for the other surfaces.
I don't know if it matters, but I try to stay away from hot water and overworking the grips while they are wet.
After washing I rinse thoroughly, then pat them dry before setting them somewhere, with good air circulation, to dry.
I always figured it was probably expected by the manufacturers that grips would be exposed to rain, snow, dirt etc. and they chose their finishes accordingly. Especially for grips / stocks used on, duty type, guns like the M66.
I always just use Dawn dishwashing liquid in warm water and a soft bristle brush for the checkering & rag for the other surfaces.
I don't know if it matters, but I try to stay away from hot water and overworking the grips while they are wet.
After washing I rinse thoroughly, then pat them dry before setting them somewhere, with good air circulation, to dry.
I always figured it was probably expected by the manufacturers that grips would be exposed to rain, snow, dirt etc. and they chose their finishes accordingly. Especially for grips / stocks used on, duty type, guns like the M66.
In my mind anything that contains water will potentially damage the wood. I assume you have walnut grips which are a relatively soft wood and the grain will easily swell the checkering and water can penetrate into the areas where the finish is worn.
I would opt for mineral spirits and a soft toothbrush. Chances are that the collected dirt is being held in place by gun oil and mineral spirits will dissolve the buildup. Give the grips a day to dry out and apply boiled linseed oil to the grips until you obtain a sealed surface. I apply sparingly and use compressed air to blow the excess linseed oil out of the checkering. Add coats until you get a consistent satin finish and use 0000 steel wool if needed to give the affect you desire. Nice thing about linseed oil is that you can apply a coat now and then to keep your grips sealed and looking good.
I would opt for mineral spirits and a soft toothbrush. Chances are that the collected dirt is being held in place by gun oil and mineral spirits will dissolve the buildup. Give the grips a day to dry out and apply boiled linseed oil to the grips until you obtain a sealed surface. I apply sparingly and use compressed air to blow the excess linseed oil out of the checkering. Add coats until you get a consistent satin finish and use 0000 steel wool if needed to give the affect you desire. Nice thing about linseed oil is that you can apply a coat now and then to keep your grips sealed and looking good.
Last edited:
An Old Ranger
Member
Dishwashing soap and warm water. You said you wanted to retain the original finish. That's the best method known. ogilvyspecial had it pegged! Don't use solvents as this will pull your original finish. I've restored dozens of weapons dating back to 1860 and never had a problem with using soap and water. Air dry and you're good.
Wade
Wade
OP
Good news. I took a rough bath towel dampened with Windex and was able to completely clean all the film of old dirt off the grips. They are not walnut but appear to be Goncalo Alves. They have a very nice color and figure. Cool!
ogilvyspecial
Member
Good deal Bruce!
You might want to rinse any Windex residue off of them since
ammonia doesn't "play well" with some surfaces.
I know ammonia can break down certain alloys over time so I would play
it safe and treat finishes the same way. As I mentioned, ammonia's
effect happens over time so it would'nt be something you would
see happening right away, if it happens at all..........
You might want to rinse any Windex residue off of them since
ammonia doesn't "play well" with some surfaces.
I know ammonia can break down certain alloys over time so I would play
it safe and treat finishes the same way. As I mentioned, ammonia's
effect happens over time so it would'nt be something you would
see happening right away, if it happens at all..........
OP
Re: Ammonia. I have just now found this post. I will w/in the next few minutes go over the grips with a damp cloth to remove any ammonia residue that might be lingering on the grips. Thank you for the heads-up.
ogilvyspecial
Member
I would just like to make a comment about water & wood since I'm also into all-wood & canvas-covered wooden canoes, which have different woods & finishes on them.
Water won't hurt wood unless it's allowed to stay on there for long periods of time. Dirty water may discolor certain types of bare wood however.
In the case of gun grips & stocks, how many guns do you think have been used out in the rain & snow by law enforcement & hunters, some over decades? As long as they are allowed to dry out in a reasonable amount of time you shouldn't see any ill effects.
Like I had mentioned previously, the enviroment that guns are used in it's kind of expected that they will get wet once in awhile.
That's why when I clean my grips / stocks I just run them under lukewarm water to make sure I get any dirt flushed out of the checkering. On smooth grips a damp cloth would be just as effective.
Water won't hurt wood unless it's allowed to stay on there for long periods of time. Dirty water may discolor certain types of bare wood however.
In the case of gun grips & stocks, how many guns do you think have been used out in the rain & snow by law enforcement & hunters, some over decades? As long as they are allowed to dry out in a reasonable amount of time you shouldn't see any ill effects.
Like I had mentioned previously, the enviroment that guns are used in it's kind of expected that they will get wet once in awhile.
That's why when I clean my grips / stocks I just run them under lukewarm water to make sure I get any dirt flushed out of the checkering. On smooth grips a damp cloth would be just as effective.
This works great.
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