What to use to get old stain out of an old stock??

[Maximcan]

Hello all I need help,

I am restoring an Enfield 1 Mk3*, my wood parts are all different shades of dark brown and I want them to look pretty close to the same colour.

Before anyone starts accusing me a "bubba'n" this beauty she was a sporter that I have decided to restore to her former glory, and don't worry it will get multi coats of BLO over the next few weeks or even months to make her look purrdy.

Long story short my upper hand guard came soaked in cosmo, i mean soaked too a long time to clean it off. I gave it a good bath in Circa 1850 soft strip and I was shocked that the wood has been stained pretty much black. Well its not black but its really really dark brown.

Anyone know a good stain remover that wont hurt the wood too bad. I dont want to sand it off but will if i need too.

Thanks In advance.

Jared

 

[sunray]

Depends on what kind of stain it is. Oil based or water. In all likelihood, that dark colouring isn't stain, but years and years of oil being applied. Either way, you use the same products and techniques used on fine furniture.
Sanding might be required. If the stock is the same colour inside the barrel channel, sand there first. Tell you how deep the stain goes. Cosmoline comes off with no fuss with a 24 hour bath/soak in Varsol. Cosmoline is thick petroleum jelly.