Stock care

[William Mitchel]

I've read scads of articles about barrel & other metal care - protectants, oils, magic elixirs etc etc.

but I have not seen any that I remember on stock care. I was thinking about Midway's http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2227541091/renaissance-wax-rust-preventative-and-gun-stock-polish

What do y'all think or recommend ? My VH12 looks nice now & I'd like to keep her that way :)

TIA,

Mitch

[Eric Johanen]

William, I just use a soft cloth and Lemon oil to keep my wood clean. Does not harm the finish and puts a bit of luster back onto the wood.

[Pat Dugan]

I have used Ballistol for at least 10 yrs
and have been well satisfied using on metal
and wood

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

I like Preserve, gary

[Tom Pellegrini]

I received a copy from an old thread from, back in 2007 I believe. It was a recipe for the French polish that Parker used on their stocks. It was a mixture of Zinsser Bulls eye Shelac and boiled linseed oil. I will try to find the copy in my "stuff' and pass it on to you.

Tom

[William Mitchel]

I received a copy from an old thread from, back in 2007 I believe. It was a recipe for the French polish that Parker used on their stocks. It was a mixture of Zinsser Bulls eye Shelac and boiled linseed oil. I will try to find the copy in my "stuff' and pass it on to you.

Tom

Thanks for your effort to find the old recipe for stock refinishing. However, note that the original question was about how to care for the stock so that it would not need refinishing. And to a lesser degree a care method that would not thwart a future refinishing effort. I read in another thread that the author used acetone to cut the grime & old finish before restoring an elderly DHE. Would the wax I'm thinking of defeat that process - ie would acetone cut wax or just turn the whole project into a gooey mess ;-)

Thanks for all the replies, I'll continue to listen!

Mitch

[Bruce Day]

Acetone quickly removes oil based finishes including the French polish used by Parker. Most experienced Parker and vintage gun collectors urge simply cleaning the stock with a washcloth and dilute Dawn or other detergent to clean off the dirt and oil and then applying a wax. Some like Renaissance Wax, others Johnsons, others Meguires.

This is to maintain the existing good finish and should not be confused with establishing a finish.

[Tom Pellegrini]

William,
I have never used acetone on any gun stocks. In my past experiences with acetone I would say it would cut through the finish that is already there. My hammer gun, that I just purchased a dew months ago, I used mineral spirits and 0000 steel wool. Did not seem to destroy what finish was left on the stock. The mixture I mentioned before is very easy to use. tape off the checkering and wipe it on with a soft cloth. It dries almost instantly. The more you put on, the newer the stock looks. Meaning a deeper looking finish. I tried to keep mine from not looking too new since the rest of the gun is all original. I will put the mixing instructions for you if you would like to try it.
As for care, the lemon oil mentioned earlier in the thread is a good choice. I just use a Remington cloth and that seems to work well. Take care.

Tom

[allen newell]

In 2006 Lawrence Del Grego advised me to use Rem Oil on all surfaces, wood and metal

[William Mitchel]

and here's hoping we all have a happy new year !!

Mitch
NW Arkansas