Help! Cosmoline/something stuck under stock finish!

Deo

Deo

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So today I went to pour hot water down the various bits of the rifle after shooting a crapload of corrosive out of my SKS. The following is what happened to my handguard on the gas system :( I thought it was cosmoline and that once the heat went down it would soak back into the stock, but sadly I'm not that lucky. Anyone have this happen to them and know how to fix it? Or am I know forced into refinishing the gun? Part of the handguard was sumberged, but can't have been for more then a minute. Also, if you push on it you can make it go away/down somewhat. Is it possible that maybe some cracks in the wood caused capillary action for the water to get under the finish and then evaporate, making this white stuff merely finish that has a gap of air between it and the wood?
IMG_20131119_200123.jpg
 
Yeah that's not right. What did you use to clean it with? It appears to be hot water damage.
Try this:
1. get a container of rubbing alcohol (doesn't matter what kind) and extremely lightly wipe the surface using a clean cotton cloth. Immediately, after each wipe, rub quickly with your fingers to blend in the finish (think buffing).
2. finish with 0000 steel wool and Olde English lemon oil (and a delicate hand) going in the direction of the grain.
 
The Kurgan said:
Yeah that's not right. What did you use to clean it with? It appears to be hot water damage.
Try this:
1. get a container of rubbing alcohol (doesn't matter what kind) and extremely lightly wipe the surface using a clean cotton cloth. Immediately, after each wipe, rub quickly with your fingers to blend in the finish (think buffing).
2. finish with 0000 steel wool and Olde English lemon oil (and a delicate hand) going in the direction of the grain.
Click to expand...
Yep, hot water. By doing the above I am essentially refinishing the stock am I not?
 
Basically, what you're doing is "softening" the existing shellac layer and in a sense reactivating it. It will help to "re-clear" the milky white areas. The problem with rubbing alcohol is that if you're too aggressive, it will remove the finish.

If you want advice on refinishing, I have done two stocks with great success. Again, the above is to attempt to repair the finish. It's worth a shot, and you clearly have nothing to loose. Take your time.

If you f-up, there's plenty of tutorials on how to refinish SKS stocks.
 
Thanks Kurgan I'll give your fix up a try. I may refinish down the line, as this rifle is not the best example of an SKS (some slight rust on the piston serial number and gas tube, some pits in the bore), so I doubt the value would be altered much if I did refinish. However, until i get myself a really nice "collectable sks" I'd like to keep everything as all original as possible. Unless I'm forced to refinish at this point.

A funnel will FOR SURE be added to the cleaning supply line up.
 
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