Cleaning cosmoline off M1 stock?
- Thread starter aspen1964
- Start date
I use acetone first, it won't even hurt the glue in laminates (white),, just let it sit for about five minutes and then wipe it off. Next I use denatured alcohol to remave all traces of the acetone,, it will clean the heck out of eveything.. You have to use a little oil after this type of cleaning, but it will look great after...
I bet Hedley's got some advice for you.
I bet Hedley's got some advice for you.
I'll quote myself from a previous thread, as I'm a bit pressed for time.
Being that it's an M1, I wouldn't even think of the old dishwasher trick. I've wrapped stocks in black trash bags and left them on my patio, and that works fine, but without attending to it every 10 mineral spirts-soaked rag, it tends to just sit and marinate in it's own "juices." Is it a CMP Garand, and has it been painted?
Being that it's an M1, I wouldn't even think of the old dishwasher trick. I've wrapped stocks in black trash bags and left them on my patio, and that works fine, but without attending to it every 10 mineral spirts-soaked rag, it tends to just sit and marinate in it's own "juices." Is it a CMP Garand, and has it been painted?
hdawson228
New member
Mineral spirits then reapply the boiled linseed oil.
hdawson228
New member
I just got a May 1945 M1 and need to remove the excess linseed oil build up and then reapply the BLS. A few dents and gouges but would never think of removing them. They are a part of the rifle's history. 
support_six
New member
I have used the dishwasher method on a number of M1 stocks with no ill effects, to even valuable cartouched stocks! I usually hit the dents with a home type steam generator first, then put the stock in the dishwasher on the "pot & pan" cycle with a full load of dishwashing compound, "heated dry" turned off.
Now, let me say that this method will remove all the cosmo, grease, oil, dirt, and the original blo/tung oil finish. It leaves bare wood like the armory started with 60+ years ago. I use stain and tung oil finish to put them back in service.
I've never had a cartouche lifted, and have another one with an "NFR" cartouche that I'm going to dishwasher tomorrow.
If you want to preserve much of the blo/tung oil crosslinked, polymerized, darkened finish, don't use the dishwasher. If you want a clean slate, it works well and the naysayers just haven't tried it (I still haven't found one who did it properly who said it ruined his stock!).
Now, let me say that this method will remove all the cosmo, grease, oil, dirt, and the original blo/tung oil finish. It leaves bare wood like the armory started with 60+ years ago. I use stain and tung oil finish to put them back in service.
I've never had a cartouche lifted, and have another one with an "NFR" cartouche that I'm going to dishwasher tomorrow.
If you want to preserve much of the blo/tung oil crosslinked, polymerized, darkened finish, don't use the dishwasher. If you want a clean slate, it works well and the naysayers just haven't tried it (I still haven't found one who did it properly who said it ruined his stock!).
Basically the same method I've used. May take multiple applications to get it all. Don't let it sit so long the oven cleaner "sets up" and turns hard. My results have always been good, w/ no damage to the stock, other than some raising of the grain (which can be knocked down w/ fine steel wool before refinishing).
support_six
New member
Hedley, I'd like to take credit but I learned the technique over on battlerifles.
I use the dishwasher method because I've never gotten a stock from the CMP that didn't have dents in it, some more than others. The dishwasher will help lift dents but does take off the old finish -- along with the dirt, cosmo, gun oil, etc. If I ever got a stock with no dents and a good basic finish, I might think about preserving the color by using just mineral spirits or something. ..but once you steam dents, you almost always ruin sections of the original finish to where it makes sense, to me, to refinish the whole thing.
...and glad to have a new friend!
I use the dishwasher method because I've never gotten a stock from the CMP that didn't have dents in it, some more than others. The dishwasher will help lift dents but does take off the old finish -- along with the dirt, cosmo, gun oil, etc. If I ever got a stock with no dents and a good basic finish, I might think about preserving the color by using just mineral spirits or something. ..but once you steam dents, you almost always ruin sections of the original finish to where it makes sense, to me, to refinish the whole thing.
...and glad to have a new friend!
Haha, the only thing that stopped me from dishwashing my K31 stock is that it wouldn't fit. I used my steambox for it. I've been ridiculed and flamed for supporting the dishwasher method, but it has always come through for me. Especially for using Cascade. I'm thinking about getting a larger dishwasher, so I don't have to mess with pulling the trays out.
The proof is in the dish water!
The proof is in the dish water!
support_six
New member
Hedley, is that a WWII or Korean era plate holding up your stock there?
Yup, I just think two hours of watching a good movie while the stock takes a little ride in the whirlpool is a whole lot better than anything that deals with solvents, black plastic bags, OVENS!, dashboards, rags, oven cleaner, etc.
Yup, I just think two hours of watching a good movie while the stock takes a little ride in the whirlpool is a whole lot better than anything that deals with solvents, black plastic bags, OVENS!, dashboards, rags, oven cleaner, etc.
Here's some light reading for you aspen1964
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/lowheatmethod/index.asp
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/lowheatmethod/index.asp