Best Way To Clean Off Old Rifle Stock? (Without Refinishing or Damaging)

[GunXpatriot]

So I have an old heirloom rifle from my grandpa that is overall a great-looking gun, but has lost it's luster after sitting around in a damp, dank house for years at a time. I really just want to make this ol' girl shine again. The stock is pretty dull and you can see that there is a bit of crud build up. Nothing solid. Just crud in the sense of like... "Particles that have sort of stuck their way onto the wood" over the years. The stock seems a bit darker than it should originally be. Not much, but just a bit. And it's just that dullness to it that makes me think it could look a bit nicer without any refinishing or extensive work on it. Besides, I'd never do that anyway, it's too special for me.

What's my best, easiest method for restoring her a bit? Remember, this is probably the most valuable rifle I'll ever own, so I need a method that's very easy on the original finish. I do notice that the forward portion of the stock has a bit less shine than the rear. Does this mean that area is less protected..? I'm really nervous to put on a coat of polyurethane or something, because again, I want to generally preserve the original look of the rifle. But I also want to keep her protected... I've heard a bit of wax is a half-decent option for protection without anything permanent, and will improve appearance. I've also heard people recommend things from just giving it a good buff with mineral spirits, or trying Murphy Oil Soap, things like that.. I've even seen people recommend those options, as well as a quick coat of boiled linseed oil, but I fear this will change the look of the rifle.

What are your guys' thoughts?

 

[Jezman]

Try denatured Alcohol.

 

[GunXpatriot]

Try denatured Alcohol.

Really, that's it? Just a quick rub down with the stuff, maybe a lint-free rag or something?

 

[Acer-m14]

The stock is pretty dull and you can see that there is a bit of crud build up

can't see from here LOL .. toss up some photos ... make and model of gun .. also find some photos it when it was factory new on how it looked .
then what direction you do want to go ???

 

[GunXpatriot]

can't see from here LOL .. toss up some photos ... make and model of gun .. also find some photos it when it was factory new on how it looked .
then what direction you do want to go ???

Right, haha. Photos at link below:

EDIT: Oh wow, look at that, Imgur embeds a little gallery now... That's awesome!

 

[Acer-m14]

looks fine to me .. i would just wipe it down with soap n water .. try in find out what the manufacture used for a coating on it ..
then go from there ..

I have a old 60's era Moss 152 22LR i stole from dad LOL .. .. i grew up on shooting .. you going to bring that back .. no its mine dad LOL ..
all the dings and scratches and weathered finish have a meaning to me .. its my #1 woodchuck and squirrel gun ( shhhhh it only has a 7 rnd mag )

not mine but really close .. so you see what a 152 is .. mine had the plastic fold down forearm .. which has been lost in a boating accident FUAC ..

 

[Mosinitis]

Denatured alcohol will remove Shellac finish.

 

[GunXpatriot]

looks fine to me .. i would just wipe it down with soap n water .. try in find out what the manufacture used for a coating on it ..
then go from there ..

I have a old 60's era Moss 152 22LR i stole from dad LOL .. .. i grew up on shooting .. you going to bring that back .. no its mine dad LOL ..
all the dings and scratches and weathered finish have a meaning to me .. its my #1 woodchuck and squirrel gun ( shhhhh it only has a 7 rnd mag )

not mine but really close .. so you see what a 152 is .. mine had the plastic fold down forearm .. which has been lost in a boating accident FUAC ..

I think I am probably over-thinking the whole thing. Maybe I should just accept that she's aged like a fine wine and call it good.

Only thing aesthetically to replace may be those old white "spacers" on the buttplate. Other than that, I can't say it looks all too bad.

 

[GunXpatriot]

Denatured alcohol will remove Shellac finish.

What's my best bet for determining what's on the gun?

 

[Robin]

I doubt that it is shellack. Try gently rubbing it down with some OOOO steel wool, or Scotchbrite, GENTLY!
Get some https://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-Wax-Polish/dp/B07GFT2G94
That should liven things up, but if not to your liking, it is not so intrusive that another route can't be taken.
Robin

 

[FLA45fan]

Ballistol for the win. Great on wood stocks, gets rid of the gumminess around the grip area andbrings back the grain.

 

[nortatoga]

Simple Green

 

[Mosinitis]

What's my best bet for determining what's on the gun?

You don't really need to, just use something which is safe for all finishes. Others here may know more about this. My wood guns get hardly any use.

 

[Jezman]

Really, that's it? Just a quick rub down with the stuff, maybe a lint-free rag or something?

I have done this in the past with great luck. Many times wipe it with a microfiber rag with the alcohol on it then polish it with a soft cotton cloth.

 

[Getzville 068]

We use Murphy's Oil Soap at summer camp for the rifles that get dirty from kids with sweaty hands. Works for us, and it smells great.

 

[MuttCat]

I don't subscribe to the "save the patina" philosophy. Grunge is grunge. Yes, alcohol will remove shellac, mineral spirits can soften up varnish, acetone and lacquer thinner will damage lacquer, and so on. Neat rifle, I've a couple of old Mossbergs myself.
Murphy's sounds safe. But many old wood finishes fail over time, sunlight, abrasion, heat, wiping down with all kinds of stuff, then they flake, discolor or yellow, etc. Me, I stick with oils. So, if it was mine, I'd go at it with acetone and a good dose of boiled linseed oil. Have you taken it apart? There might be some clues to the finish hidden in there.

 

[Robin]

Patina is not always grunge, often it is how the formula used in the 'varnish' oxidizes and its removal, depending on the gun, can cost you thousands.
Robin

 

[S&W Fan]

Nice old gun. I have a couple like that myself and the only thing I do is give them a good rubdown with a good quality furniture wax and call it a day. Judging from the photos it doesn’t look as though you have any real grimy buildup anywhere.

 

[@thewheels]

Honestly doesn't look bad from the pics to me.
Maybe a little Murphy's if you really want to do some wood cleanup and I'd try a magic eraser and water on the white spacers (remove 1st) to see if that will clean them up enough for you.
If you decide to go the BLO route on the wood after the Murphy's cleaning, GO EASY at 1st with the BLO. A little can go a long way.
I have a very old stock that has been only treated with BLO over several decades and it darkens with age and application.

 

[Paxal]

So I have an old heirloom rifle from my grandpa that is overall a great-looking gun, but has lost it's luster after sitting around in a damp, dank house for years at a time. I really just want to make this ol' girl shine again. The stock is pretty dull and you can see that there is a bit of crud build up. Nothing solid. Just crud in the sense of like... "Particles that have sort of stuck their way onto the wood" over the years. The stock seems a bit darker than it should originally be. Not much, but just a bit. And it's just that dullness to it that makes me think it could look a bit nicer without any refinishing or extensive work on it. Besides, I'd never do that anyway, it's too special for me.

What's my best, easiest method for restoring her a bit? Remember, this is probably the most valuable rifle I'll ever own, so I need a method that's very easy on the original finish. I do notice that the forward portion of the stock has a bit less shine than the rear. Does this mean that area is less protected..? I'm really nervous to put on a coat of polyurethane or something, because again, I want to generally preserve the original look of the rifle. But I also want to keep her protected... I've heard a bit of wax is a half-decent option for protection without anything permanent, and will improve appearance. I've also heard people recommend things from just giving it a good buff with mineral spirits, or trying Murphy Oil Soap, things like that.. I've even seen people recommend those options, as well as a quick coat of boiled linseed oil, but I fear this will change the look of the rifle.

What are your guys' thoughts?

I used the boiling water, Simple Green, bathtub method on my OLD 1917 stock. It amazed me, all the crap that came off that thing. Most of the dents and dings camp out too. Stock stayed nice and straight. Once it dried out, I used an oil finish on it. It looks great now. Not new...but great. It looks like an old war horse still, which it is, but a clean on.