M1 Garand Stock Restoration?

[Jason762]

Before I left for Alaska, I cleaned my M1 using Sharp Shoot R Wipe-Out. It's a foam based cleaner that expands quite quickly.

Well, needless to say, it expanded up and out of the action and dribbled down the stock as it turned to liquid. It took away some of the cosmoline that the stock is covered in (see pics).





Any idea on how to restore the dribble marks on the stock so it looks the same pre-dribble marks? Or should I completely strip the stock of cosmoline and refinish it? Please, don't tell me to use the dishwasher. I refuse to do so because I want to die a natural death

I'm not sure if the stock is valuable or not, it does have RRA stamped on the left side of the pistol grip. Near the buttstock it has a white stripe about .5"x1" and that's all the markings it has (aside from dents and scratches).

What are my options?

Thanks,
Jason

[postal16]

RRA is Red River Arsenal, where it was rebuilt

I have had good luck taking all the metal off, running it through my dishwasher (a lot of begging with the wife had to happen prior) and once it dried out applying BLO and what a difference! The dishwasher steams out the dents (my proof marks were ok) and gets all of the Cosmo out and gets it ot bare wood fast!

[blackfalcon]

The dishwasher method works well as it raises all the dings. But if you have any cartouches that are faint, they maybe gone afterwords. While there are numerous ways to clean off a stock, I have tried a couple of them (using easy-off oven cleaner and then washing the wood, using acetone/denatured alcohol), but the dish washer is by far the easiest. I usually remove the wood from the washing machine right before the drying cycle and let the wood air dry. I would suggest a practice run on another beat up stock.

[otteray]

I would never do this; warping may occur.

http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforums.yuku.com/reply/92967

[postal16]

I have done this with 6 stocks...all came out great (of course none of them had cartouches that I was concerned about)

The key is what Blackfalcon stated, do not let it go threw the drying cycle...let it air dry!

[FluorideInMyWater]

why on gods earth would u put cosmoline where u clean ur dishes that u eat with?!?!?! do u want to grow a tail or what??????

[otteray]

I've always just used 50/50 BLO/ turpentine and wiping and washing down using terry cloth; then putting the stock in a black garbage bag with kitty litter in a warm sunny place for several hours or a few days, occasionally wiping the grease off as it weeps out of the wood.
Then BLO rubbed in by hand several times over a period of time.

No worry at all of water damage showing up in a few years.
IMHO

[Jason762]

I've read that article before, and common sense says no freaking way.

Any other alternatives?

[otteray]

First, just try to do what garandguy10 suggested.

[dwh100]

You could just leave it as is!

refinishing:

http://www.jouster.com/Bulletin/refinishing.htm

[FluorideInMyWater]

i suppose if u did a lot of stock refinishing u could buy a cheap dishwasher for ur garage to use as a dedicated refinisher....u can buy one for maybe 200.....but i would send it out to a professional for that price...

[Army GI]

Hm, I've used the dishwasher method many times. My stocks seem fine

I'd actually prefer the dishwasher method to the Easy-Off cleaner as I've seen the Easy-Off damage wood stocks, but not so with the dishwasher.

[M1A Rifleman]

No problem. Use some light sand paper to remove the dents and #0000 steel wool. Stay clear of the stock Proofs or cartouches. A steam iron and wet cloth will also work great for removing the dings. When done. go over again with the steel wool. This proces wil really lighten up the dark oil soaked wood. Lastly rub on some bioled linseed oil, which is the basic stock finish oil that comes in little bottles at the gun shop.

[Fate]

why on gods earth would u put cosmoline where u clean ur dishes that u eat with?!?!?! do u want to grow a tail or what??????

Hm, I've used the dishwasher method many times. My stocks seem fine

But how long is your tail?

[Army GI]

But how long is your tail?

Aha! We wash the dishes in our sink