For really grungy stocks, I usually start by scrubbing with an old toothbrush and houshold ammonia. Ammonia will saponify oils and allow them to be rinsed off with water. I'm talking about surface oils and skin oils with grime that darkens wood and cakes up in checkering. As noted above, deeply oil soaked wood will require other methods. I've used isopropyl alcohol a lot as a second step, but apparently many stocks are finished with shellac, because I've had alcohol completely remove the finish several times. I have never even heard of Kotton Klenzer. Where do you buy it?
