Thoughts on using "Easy Off"

Steppenwolf

Steppenwolf

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I have seen it bandied about on forums about using "Easy Off" oven cleaner to clean milsurp stocks. I tried cleaning a very grungy stock with it and it stripped all the finish off, right down to the bare wood. It didn't clean, it removed all the finish, so if anyone tells you to use it as a cleaner remember my experience.

I have another rifle on the way with a very dirty, oil spot impregnated stock(see photo). What should I use to clean it? Any thoughts or ideas appreciated.


Cheers

P.S. When the directions say "wear gloves" do so.

f_UG22908Enfim_6c37114.jpg
 
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When I clean cosmoline off stocks, I use hot water with dishwasher soap. I don't put the stocks in the dishwasher, I use a big plastic tub and a paintbrush and a toothbrush. I thoroughly rinse the stock after.

Also, using mineral spirits should do a good job, for all sorts of dirt, grime, goo, sludge you may find on a milsurp.
 
The Big problem with Easy-Off is it destroys the wood fibers of the stock, greatly accelerating the integrity of the wood over time.
 
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That stock looks really nice. Apply some BLO and leave it be.

If a stock is really "dirty" meaning the dirt is coming off on my hands when I hold it, a gentle scrub with some warm soapy water is all you need. Wipe down with a rag and remove grease if there is any. BLO will do the rest of the cleanup and if it is still dirty, you will notice your linseed oil rag picking up the last remaining bit of dirt.
 
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Steppenwolf said:
I have another rifle on the way with a very dirty, oil spot impregnated stock(see photo). What should I use to clean it? Any thoughts or ideas appreciated.
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"Circa 1850" Antique furniture stripper. It will remove dirt and crud and any varnish or stain in the wood, but it will leave the wood's natural patina intact. I use it on all my old, dirty, and stained milsurp wood, and I love the stuff.
 
Easy Off contains sodium hydroxide a chemical which as noted above dissolves wood fibre. Do not use it.
 
I have a Garand that I tried absolutely everything on. From oven cleaner to varsol bath to heat and whiteing. The best by far was a strong mix of tsp and hot water, several times. For parts that fit, the microwave (at work) was excellent, but take it easy!

Ian
 
I'd stay away from easy off. The worst stories I've heard aout guys ruining guns were with that.

I've used both the dishwasher method to remove cosmoline, as well as a pressure washer hooked up to a hot water outlet, and they worked for me. The dishwasher was a bit harder on the stock, however.
 
bullsheet
Easyoff works great but you only use it in the worst of conditions - use lightly - immediately wipe off - don't let it sit. wipe it off right away - and yes - follow the directions and use gloves (for those of you that know how to read).

If you can read give this a review.
The worst case scenario (a laminated K98 stock) came out gleaming. It was an experiment but I thought I had to try it before I recommended it. Not the worst case scenario but I'm establishing a baseline here. No seperation or delaminating of the different glued layers - it worked out great.
http://rodandgun.sslpowered.com/article/Restoring_Milsurp_Stocks.pdf

I appologize for the sarcasm. I get very tired of the end-all-know-all members that frequent these forums. And for the purists "No I did not drill and tap the Israeli". Actually I like that quote. Kinda sounds ###ual and Macho.
 
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You mean you are supposed to read the direction? LOL I read them after my finger nails started to curl. I used this stuff on my Nepalese 1853 Enfield. I had no intention of stripping it, I just wanted to clean the grunge off. But the EO removed all the finish.

Cheers

Riflechair said:
and yes - follow the directions and use gloves (for those of you that know how to read).
Click to expand...
 
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My first gun was a import marked 91/30. I was overzealous with the hot water and rag method and wiped off parts of the shellac so I tried easy off. In a matter of seconds the easy off stripped the finish to the bare wood. I wouldn't use it again.
 
I did an oil-impregnated Husqvarna stock this spring.
I use 2 parts water, 1 part household ammonia.
Spray on a bunch, scrub with a soft nylon-bristled brush and rinse in the bathtub.
3 applications removed about 80% of the oil soaked into the wood.
 
I used in the past TSP ,hot water ,and hot plate.I strubb with the tsp and wash it off and used the hot plate to heat the wood up( not cook or burn) and repeat several times .If cleaner and pulled dents and nicks out of the stocks
 
I've used Circa 1850 on all my milsurps.
It is an antique furniture stripper and will not remove the original stain if present. Do not use the tiny scrubbing bubbles!(Easy Off)

Anyone got change for a nickle?
My two cents
 
If it is oil or cosmoline, I have heard of guys having great luck using a plastic bag filled with kitty litter. Put the bag with stock inside out in the sun for awhile and it should leech the oil out of the stock in a less destructive manner than the Easy Off.
 
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