My feeling is that whatever comes off with soap and water (bath type soap and cool water) is ok for the wood and use of detergent and hot water is ok on metal. Do not remove browning of metal or polish the metal, just remove the surface dirt and rust. I use a good quality high linen paper wadded up and oiled to remove rust. Also 0000 steel wool used with oil and rubbed lightly to get at rust. When removing rust don't polish the metal. Just remove the standing rust and oil the surface.
Once and a while a stock is so oil soaked you must sweat out the excess. Best way I have seen is to simply wrap it in paper towels and then old newspaper and put in in the back window shelf of your car during a hot summer week. Will take several changes of paper towels. When the towels no longer show oil use the soap and water.
A home steam cleaner is really good for getting out the grease especially in those areas you cannot easily get to. They heat up the metal so that it dries quickly and will not cause rust when used properly.
I like the look of a gun that has acquired a coat of honest use in service and don't really want a brand new gun look. Other feel different.
Once and a while a stock is so oil soaked you must sweat out the excess. Best way I have seen is to simply wrap it in paper towels and then old newspaper and put in in the back window shelf of your car during a hot summer week. Will take several changes of paper towels. When the towels no longer show oil use the soap and water.
A home steam cleaner is really good for getting out the grease especially in those areas you cannot easily get to. They heat up the metal so that it dries quickly and will not cause rust when used properly.
I like the look of a gun that has acquired a coat of honest use in service and don't really want a brand new gun look. Other feel different.
