getting oil out of wood (stock)

slushee

slushee

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Okay, took down a very OLD and BEAT UP jc higgins stock, ran stripper over it and finished up with mineral spirits.

Problem is, there are some very dark areas (near the handle area) that seem to be retaining oil ... any other way to get this oil out? or should i just give up getting this oil out and start the steaming/sanding of the dents?
 
place a wet cotton cloth over the spot and press a hot iron to it, it takes some time but it removes stains pretty well, without saturating wood with chemicals
the wood fibers will raise, and youll have to polish the wood in those places, but boy does it look good:)
 
rhino519 said:
place a wet cotton cloth over the spot and press a hot iron to it, it takes some time but it removes stains pretty well, without saturating wood with chemicals
the wood fibers will raise, and youll have to polish the wood in those places, but boy does it look good:)
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we usually use this method to raise dents

for oil, hold the stock over a element on your stove being careful not to scorch the wood
as the wood heats you will see the droplets of oil bead up out of it wipe these off with a clean cloth or paper towel this usually pulls most of the oil out

Cam
 
I use easyoff oven cleaner for refinishing old milsurps. Spray it on wait 30 min and hose off, repeat if needed. Wash well, and let dry for a few days. Then use the wet towel and iron method to remove dents and dings. Lightly sand and finish.
 
get a spray bottle and fill it with 1/3 hot water 2/3 ammonia. if really oil soaked use 100% ammonia. oil runs out of wood sprayed with ammonia. some stocks done this way turn out like new and require a light sanding before putting on marine grade linseed oil---this oil goes into the wood and doesn't stay on top like regular linseed oil. don't sand if you don't have to---destroys the conture of the stock.
 
Brownells sell a product called whiting, used to soak oil out of wood. Woodworking places may have it, not sure on that, though.
 
Soak in acetone. There's a process from Doubleguns.com that often comes up for cleaning up the high grade antiques, too long to post but I'm, willing to email the process. ..........Takes about a week in total and $20-30 investment.
~Arctic~
 
I have always had great results using TSP (trisodium phosphate). In fact a friend of mine did an old military stock with TSP last week and was amazed at how quick it worked.

Be sure to wear good rubber gloves!

Ted
 
:eek:

that's what i was thinking! I think i'll try spraying on some of that oven cleaner, and maybe some gentle heating ... thanks for all the responses!
 
I was looking for info on this online as well and found this, but neglected to copy down the URL of the source:

I have used calcium carbonate (CACO3) for years in removing oil and oil stains from gunstocks and other woodworking projects. It is quick, effective and inexpensive. You don't have to use the Brownells product.

I use the white lime fertilizer products that you find in hardware stores lawn products dept. Its also the same product they use for lining football and soccer fields. Buy in bulk and it is inexpensive.

Mix it into a thick gravy slurry with TCE (found in paint stores) MEK, acetone, or other quick drying solvent. Paint on the wood and use a hair dryer to warm and lift out the oil. I use a bit of the unmixed solvent on the wood first to facilitate the "whiting" soak-in. All you do is brush off the dried residue with a bristle brush.

Final clean-up is done with brake parts cleaner aerosol cans. After repeated applications, as necessary you may wish to apply a wash of Oxalic acid solution to even out the wood hue. Then a light wash of baking soda in water to neutralize the acid. Re-apply your final stain and finishing techniques as shown on other threads here, and you have your rifle furniture returned to issued condition.
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I would question the use of MEK, however! (I don't think it's even available at the retail level any more.)

:) Stuart
 
One method I used was to pack the stock in cat litter or the absorbent shops use to soak up oil spils. Wrap it in tin foil and heat it up. The absorbent will soak up the oil as it leaves the wood.
 
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