doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com How do you remove old grime from older checkering?

What is a gentle procedure to evenly remove old grime from the checkering of this old 4E Knick?

How do I protect the finish on the smooth wood and get an even cleaning?

I use mineral spirits (paint thinner) and a soft toothbrush. It is a mild solvent that will not attack most finishes and usually dissolves most organic buildup with a few applications. If you have an oil finish and some hazing occurs, just lightly re oil after cleaning.

I would hesitate to use mineral spirits.

I use warm soapy water and an old toothbrush.

There are furniture cleaning products such as Formby's that will clean without attacking original shellac or other oil-based finishes. Use with a soft brush.

I use rubbing alcohol with a toothbrush, but usually when refinishing the rest.
Of course alcohol will affect finish, especially french polish, but does away with
all the accumulated grime in the checkering.

Credit for the method goes to Smallbore.

JC

If it's just grime...an accumulation of dirt and skin oil...I'd start there. A little Dawn dishwashing liquid will cut grease pretty well.

I wouldn't use any organic solvent at all.

But if someone has "touched up" or refinished in the past, it may be a build up of finish. In which case I'd opt for a recut. An expert recut can remove just the finish and virtually no wood.

I only use mineral spirits if I am prepared to re-oil or refinish the stock. Alcohol, as mentioned, will remove shellac or French polish finishes, and both mineral spirits and alcohol will seep under even the most careful masking.

A lot of the guys on the Parker site swear by Murphy's Oil Soap for gently cleaning and freshening old stocks that are not going to be refinished. Available at any hardware store. The Parker boys have posted some before/after pics of the Murphy's treatment, and the results look very nice. I think they usually oil or wax the stock after cleaning.

I use Kotton Kleanser and a toothbrush to remove gunk from checkering and the rest of a stocks surface. That's what this product is designed to do. The nice thing about this is it won't damage the finish.
Jim

I use mineral spirits with a very small amount of an oil/ oil varnish finish added. Brush well with a soft toothbrush,then blot checkering "dry" with paper towel then buff entire stock with the same mix to clean.