Gentlemen,

I am looking to give an old gun a bit of tender loving care. Its covered in lots of old grimy greesy waxy gunk. Its not going to be restored, rather just cleaned up.

Stock - i have read that a little surgical spirit gentle applied will pull out the worst of the grime. But there is still a good stock finish a little warm soapy water perhaps.

As regards the action, similar treatment to above or a hot water. I have read that some actually boil an action to remove the grime. Would an ultrasound cleaner also work?

Thanks for advice.

An ultrasound cleaner will work if you have one large enough for the action. I wonder if you can clean the action sufficiently without taking it apart using the ultrasound machine then blow out the water followed by lubrication.

I've use Murphy's Oil and rubbed down with burlap on wood. Copper wool and Hoppe's #9 on exterior metal. I have cleaned up actions on old doubles by using Simple Green in hot water ultrasonic cleaner. Sprayed insides will Rem oil.

I use Simple Green and non-sudsing ammonia in my ultrasound, works wonders. I rinse in boiling water to get the metal hot enough to evaporate any residual water and then submerge in ATF, wipe down. ....