Classic Firearms SKS Stock Question

[Rozzi]

I recently pulled the trigger on one of the SKS being offered by Classic. This is my first SKS and I was going to do a separate thread with some before and afters. However, in the mean time, I had a question about the cleaning (or not) of the stock.

All numbers matching (even under the gas tube) and the stock was in great shape considering the other ones I saw people get. I knew immediately that I didn't want to refinish it, so I began researching ways to get the cosmoline out without harming the finish. Since it was in the 80s last weekend, I wiped off all that I could with paper towels and q-tips, then wrapped the stock in fresh paper towels, put it in a black plastic bag and let it cook in my car Saturday and Sunday. This method did a real nice job in getting out a good amount of the cosmoline.

Here is where I am stuck. I don't know if I should leave well enough alone or go to the next step of applying something to further clean/condition it? The stock has a bit of a waxy feel to it and a few dry spots (smaller then a dime) I was hoping to get some opinions as to what route I should go. I have mineral spirits and 100% tung oil on hand. My local hardware store carries BLO. I'm no photographer, but here are some photos:

[Capybara]

Wow, you scored a Russian and it's a laminate too? Nice score. It still looks really dark and soaked in cosmo to me but perhaps it is just the lighting? I have heard a lot of different recipes for removing cosmo from wood but the experts recommend not using any harsh solvents or abrasives. Some swear by WD40 and that it doesn't harm the wood.

Might just want to try a few more sessions with the black plastic bag on a hot day. If you are careful, a blow dryer can help sweat the cosmo out.

[DirtyRussianAmmo]

That looks like a beauty, congrats! I just got my first SKS and it is my favorite rifle to shoot. Get that baby out of the cosmo and into some cheap ammo. You're going to love it.

[peppermintman]

I wouldn't use any chemical on it, maybe some Howards. I've cleaned my stock many many times. Everytime I take it out to shoot the cosmo still seeps out of the wood. Paper towels in black plastic bag in trunk of car is good. But direct sunlight is better. Clean everything up and take it to the range to see where 'bouts your zero is and let it sit on the table in direct sunlight. Bring plenty paper towels and another rifle to shoot

[kowalski]

And I thought I was lucky having received a sino soviet!

Nice score.

[BroncoBob]

Holy cow bells, a Russian with lam stock. Great find and congrats. Regarding the cosmo removal, I would go with several more black trash bags in the sun this weekend. Then do the hair dryer process. Good luck

[hifiguns]

Definitely mineral spirits is the way to remove cosmoline. It won't harm the shellac finish.

[Enfield47]

Nice score on your SKS. I would put it back in a black trash bag and leave it in the trunk while you are at work (provided you park outside in the sunlight and not in a parking garage) then wipe it down at night and repeat for a few days. By the weekend a lot of the cosmoline will have sweated out.

[Rozzi]

Thanks for the responses. I really got lucky with this one. Since my car is in a parking garage during the week, I'll try sweating it out again this weekend and see if I can lighten up the color a bit more. It still smells of cosmoline, so I'm sure another round would help.

[LCU1670]

Will those orange cleaning products, or Murphy's oil soap work?

[pkc168]

Nice score!

[peppermintman]

Will those orange cleaning products, or Murphy's oil soap work?

Yes. I think Howards has a little of thaf orange stuff in it too. But don't use mineral spirits on the wood, it'll dry it out too much.

[ClassicFirearms]

Nice pickup! Thanks for the purchase.

[hifiguns]

Yes. I think Howards has a little of thaf orange stuff in it too. But don't use mineral spirits on the wood, it'll dry it out too much.

Howard's is mostly petroleum distillates, i.e. mineral spirits. Howard's Restor-A-Finish in addition to being almost entirely petroleum distillate has 5-10% isopropyl alcohol which will damage the shellac.

WD-40 is mainly mineral spirits and mineral oil.