Lots of debate on whether to clean or re-finish stocks on this forum - and this can be made even more complicated if the Milsup has been refinished at some point of time. I have mixed feelings in regards to the matter - but at the end of the day a rifle is an individuals' property and they can do with it what they please. Nevertheless I feel that we can all agree it is important to preserve history - this can take many forms - and that is where the debate begins. Does preservation mean leaving an item "as is"? Or does one complete a full or partial "restoration" to make an item period correct. You even see this debate fought out at the museum level - items left rusty and dirty, or thoroughly cleaned, repainted or completely refinished.
Nevertheless, the intent is the same - trying to make something look right - we just cannot always agree on what is right.
Well - today I am going to share my latest method of cleaning/restoring Milsup rifle stocks. It does involve products, but no sanding and has great results = relatively conservative method of refinishing.
What you need: Mineral Spirits, Antique Paint Remover (if required), Gloves, Oven Cleaner, Dish Sponges and Howards Refinishing Product.
Test subject: VZ produced VZ24 stocks that were once fitted to Chinese contract rifles, somehow they made their way to Canada and were in storage for about 10-20 years and very dirty, covered in paint, grease and grime.
Step 1: Find out what you have - I used 'mineral spirits' to quickly wipe off dirt and grime to see what I had under all the dirt. Picture One is the result - dented/dirty/painted stocks.

Step 2: Spray on the oven cleaning. Let sit and wipe down with a few dish cleaning sponges (gloves are recommended). You can used the sponge side or the abrasive side to remove dirt - don't press too hard on the abrasive side because you don't want to remove any original wood/markings hidden under the grime. I got the idea of using oven cleaner from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FttKI1-Qa9Y and found it worked great on IMA antique 'untouched' rifles.

Step 3: Now you are left with a bone dry stock - many natural and none natural oils have been removed, but the wood and original markings are all still there.

Then you simply apply Howards with a clean sponge. Look at the instant results!!! The product is mostly natural and adds/restores natural oils - as the product advertises "don't refinish it - restore it".


Step 4: You may need a few coats of Howards but I find generally 2-4 coatings is plenty. Now enjoy!!! Look how the wood is left untouched and retains the natural colour but also all the markings and dents - way better than before I started.

I find that this product has worked on Hunting rifles and other Milsups - including some pretty ratty Enfield stocks. Okay - I would not recommend that everyone does this to every Milsup out there - but this is a relatively conservative method of restoring a stock and giving it a nice military oiled glow - without removing or damaging the wood. If someone has a better method - please chime in.
Nevertheless, the intent is the same - trying to make something look right - we just cannot always agree on what is right.
Well - today I am going to share my latest method of cleaning/restoring Milsup rifle stocks. It does involve products, but no sanding and has great results = relatively conservative method of refinishing.
What you need: Mineral Spirits, Antique Paint Remover (if required), Gloves, Oven Cleaner, Dish Sponges and Howards Refinishing Product.
Test subject: VZ produced VZ24 stocks that were once fitted to Chinese contract rifles, somehow they made their way to Canada and were in storage for about 10-20 years and very dirty, covered in paint, grease and grime.
Step 1: Find out what you have - I used 'mineral spirits' to quickly wipe off dirt and grime to see what I had under all the dirt. Picture One is the result - dented/dirty/painted stocks.

Step 2: Spray on the oven cleaning. Let sit and wipe down with a few dish cleaning sponges (gloves are recommended). You can used the sponge side or the abrasive side to remove dirt - don't press too hard on the abrasive side because you don't want to remove any original wood/markings hidden under the grime. I got the idea of using oven cleaner from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FttKI1-Qa9Y and found it worked great on IMA antique 'untouched' rifles.

Step 3: Now you are left with a bone dry stock - many natural and none natural oils have been removed, but the wood and original markings are all still there.

Then you simply apply Howards with a clean sponge. Look at the instant results!!! The product is mostly natural and adds/restores natural oils - as the product advertises "don't refinish it - restore it".


Step 4: You may need a few coats of Howards but I find generally 2-4 coatings is plenty. Now enjoy!!! Look how the wood is left untouched and retains the natural colour but also all the markings and dents - way better than before I started.

I find that this product has worked on Hunting rifles and other Milsups - including some pretty ratty Enfield stocks. Okay - I would not recommend that everyone does this to every Milsup out there - but this is a relatively conservative method of restoring a stock and giving it a nice military oiled glow - without removing or damaging the wood. If someone has a better method - please chime in.
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