Dirty Buttstock on K-31 Swiss

Full MeTal Jack · 11-09-2006, 10:47 PM

Just received my K-31 Swiss from J&G. Buttstock has that funky 6" dirty area above the buttplate. Handguard looks good. Planning to redo this stock. Soon as some ammo comes in I'll take her to the range.
I want to clean the buttstock.
Any advice on getting the black crud from grain?

Thinking of starting with lacquer thinner. Then Try Homer Formby's Funiture Refinnisher.

If that doesn't do, considering the Easy Off oven cleaner and tooth brush.
Might test bleach solution.

Iron stock to unstress dents
And a medium sanding to bring out better wood.
Not to worried about devalueing a C&R rifle. I made the comment once to a purist, "How much can you devalue a $100 rifle?"
Finnihing with soft luster polyurethane.

Dale · 11-10-2006, 12:17 AM

First of all I would never buy any product from J&G for their useless, and additional, personal regulations against buyers.

But, that aside, now, the butt of the stock is dinged and discolored due ot the squad drills the soldiers did with the guns.

You can take a general degreaser and get the grung off but I would stop right there.

Don't sand or otherwise rid the stock marks. (my humble opinion)

Big Dog · 11-10-2006, 03:29 AM

I'm with Dale here. You'd be surprised what a good scrubbing with a good mild detergent in hot water can do. Let it dry well, then use a good Tung Oil finish. A stripped and refinished stock looks it. I like some "character" to remain, to remind me of the rifle's history.

NRAJOE · 11-10-2006, 05:23 PM

I used Acetone on one of my K31's...stripped that crap right off...then 5 coats of Tung Oil...came out very nice.

Full MeTal Jack · 11-10-2006, 06:56 PM

Dale, I havent had any problems with J&G. Now Sarco and Interordnace is another story, but still continue to use them.
Big D and Joe, I like a little charator in a rilfe. Not going to sand heavy. A couple of thounsandths just to clean it up.
Tung oil?
OK.
Going to shoot it Sunday or first of next week.

Casull · 11-10-2006, 09:38 PM

Big Dog, I would be surprised what a good scrubbing with mild detergent and hot water would do -- except I tried it and it didn't do anything. If your careful (don't let it sit too long) the Easy Off treatment works wonders. I agree with the Tung oil though. Refinished two K31's and an SKS this way and they look real good. Two coats highly thinned (with mineral spirits) Tung oil, followed by two coats of 50/50 thinned and finally two coats of straight Tung oil. Weather tight and looks great.

Big Dog · 11-11-2006, 06:19 AM

Depends on the nature and depth of the grunge, I guess.
I do have a few milsurps I've stripped and sanded, but only when they were virtually "tomato stakes". I try to minimise altering the wood when possible.
Sometimes, it IS needed.
I do the washdown first to see how much of the funk will come off - then proceed as necessary.
Some milsurp owners like BLO ( boiled linseed oil), but I haven't tried it yet.
Pure Tung Oil never dries, so be sure it's a "Tung Oil Finish", with the added driers.

Casull · 11-11-2006, 10:06 AM

Big Dog, I think you're right about pure Tung oil never drying (I remember reading that somewhere). I have had real good luck with the Formbys Tung Oil Finish. I think it is the "gloss" or "high gloss", but if you rub it in (as opposed to brushing), it ends up more of a satin or satin matte finish (and that's without sanding between coats). Not too much shine, but if you want less you can always sand or steel wool between coats.

NRAJOE · 11-11-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NRAJOE

I used Acetone on one of my K31's...stripped that crap right off...then 5 coats of Tung Oil...came out very nice.

My bad...meant Tung Oil finish!

Full MeTal Jack · 11-12-2006, 08:10 AM

Worked on stock for several hours. It needs more than just a topical cleanup. Anfreas Hofer of Ottenhausen (name under buttpad) must have used his K-31 to bat rocks across the river. Sorry my fellow pureist, the oven cleaner is commin out! Was thinking the handguard was a replacement because of the wear patterns. It's all original.
Ran a brush down the barrel and hit with Copper Out. A very clean barrel. Lands looks soft before cleaning. Wish all those Mausers had barrels like this.
Overall, a very clean gun. I only had crud in the lug area of receiver.
The receiver is loose in stock. It might be a candidate for a bedding job.

Dale · 11-12-2006, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casull

Big Dog, I think you're right about pure Tung oil never drying (I remember reading that somewhere). I have had real good luck with the Formbys Tung Oil Finish. I think it is the "gloss" or "high gloss", but if you rub it in (as opposed to brushing), it ends up more of a satin or satin matte finish (and that's without sanding between coats). Not too much shine, but if you want less you can always sand or steel wool between coats.

Actually, straight Tung Oil will dry to a near shellac or varnish hardness finish.

Some people have heard of the Tung Oil and boiled Linseed Oil mixture (which I also use and like for a different type of finish and oil replenishing) but some had put straight (unboiled) linseed oil in the mixture and regular Linseed Oil will not dry completely and will remain tacky when mixed with Tung Oil.

If a person is looking for that duller lightly oiled look of some of the mil surps' original finishes and appearance....a few coats of straight boiled Linseed Oil is a great finish.

The key is to know the wood and know how much oil it can absorb before it become too saturated and remains oily to the touch.

Tru Oil is also a good commercial oil to go with but it runs $5-$6 for a small inky dinky bottle. The same amount can buy a whole lot of boiled Linseed Oil and Formby's Tung Oil.

Full MeTal Jack · 11-13-2006, 09:37 PM

Well boys, just wasn't happy with the way the K-31 stock looked. Used the oven cleaner. Just was not happy with all the dents and dirt. Now she's clean, the grain is raised and all dents raised to some degree. The wood looks almost new! Will use damp terry towel and try to iron out the remaining dings.

Unlike my Ceczh VZ-24, that one looks like it was whipped with a 1/4" chain. That one will remain in it's true unaltered condition.
When it's done, I'll post pics. That is what we all like to see.

11-09-2006, 10:47 PM	#1
Full MeTal Jack Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,421 Trader Rating: (0)	Dirty Buttstock on K-31 Swiss Just received my K-31 Swiss from J&G. Buttstock has that funky 6" dirty area above the buttplate. Handguard looks good. Planning to redo this stock. Soon as some ammo comes in I'll take her to the range. I want to clean the buttstock. Any advice on getting the black crud from grain? Thinking of starting with lacquer thinner. Then Try Homer Formby's Funiture Refinnisher. If that doesn't do, considering the Easy Off oven cleaner and tooth brush. Might test bleach solution. Iron stock to unstress dents And a medium sanding to bring out better wood. Not to worried about devalueing a C&R rifle. I made the comment once to a purist, "How much can you devalue a $100 rifle?" Finnihing with soft luster polyurethane. __________________ [IMG]http://img287.echo.cx/img287/63/9130110x100a4vb.jpg

11-10-2006, 12:17 AM	#2
Dale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Too Dang Hot, Arizona Posts: 4,284 Trader Rating: (0)	First of all I would never buy any product from J&G for their useless, and additional, personal regulations against buyers. But, that aside, now, the butt of the stock is dinged and discolored due ot the squad drills the soldiers did with the guns. You can take a general degreaser and get the grung off but I would stop right there. Don't sand or otherwise rid the stock marks. (my humble opinion) __________________ "It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me

11-10-2006, 03:29 AM	#3
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,071 Trader Rating: (0)	I'm with Dale here. You'd be surprised what a good scrubbing with a good mild detergent in hot water can do. Let it dry well, then use a good Tung Oil finish. A stripped and refinished stock looks it. I like some "character" to remain, to remind me of the rifle's history. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

11-10-2006, 05:23 PM	#4
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 19,014 Trader Rating: (0)	I used Acetone on one of my K31's...stripped that crap right off...then 5 coats of Tung Oil...came out very nice. __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

11-10-2006, 06:56 PM	#5
Full MeTal Jack Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,421 Trader Rating: (0)	Dale, I havent had any problems with J&G. Now Sarco and Interordnace is another story, but still continue to use them. Big D and Joe, I like a little charator in a rilfe. Not going to sand heavy. A couple of thounsandths just to clean it up. Tung oil? OK. Going to shoot it Sunday or first of next week. __________________ [IMG]http://img287.echo.cx/img287/63/9130110x100a4vb.jpg

11-10-2006, 09:38 PM	#6
Casull Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 256 Trader Rating: (0)	Big Dog, I would be surprised what a good scrubbing with mild detergent and hot water would do -- except I tried it and it didn't do anything. If your careful (don't let it sit too long) the Easy Off treatment works wonders. I agree with the Tung oil though. Refinished two K31's and an SKS this way and they look real good. Two coats highly thinned (with mineral spirits) Tung oil, followed by two coats of 50/50 thinned and finally two coats of straight Tung oil. Weather tight and looks great.

11-11-2006, 06:19 AM	#7
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,071 Trader Rating: (0)	Depends on the nature and depth of the grunge, I guess. I do have a few milsurps I've stripped and sanded, but only when they were virtually "tomato stakes". I try to minimise altering the wood when possible. Sometimes, it IS needed. I do the washdown first to see how much of the funk will come off - then proceed as necessary. Some milsurp owners like BLO ( boiled linseed oil), but I haven't tried it yet. Pure Tung Oil never dries, so be sure it's a "Tung Oil Finish", with the added driers. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

11-11-2006, 10:06 AM	#8
Casull Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 256 Trader Rating: (0)	Big Dog, I think you're right about pure Tung oil never drying (I remember reading that somewhere). I have had real good luck with the Formbys Tung Oil Finish. I think it is the "gloss" or "high gloss", but if you rub it in (as opposed to brushing), it ends up more of a satin or satin matte finish (and that's without sanding between coats). Not too much shine, but if you want less you can always sand or steel wool between coats.

11-12-2006, 08:10 AM	#10
Full MeTal Jack Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,421 Trader Rating: (0)	Worked on stock for several hours. It needs more than just a topical cleanup. Anfreas Hofer of Ottenhausen (name under buttpad) must have used his K-31 to bat rocks across the river. Sorry my fellow pureist, the oven cleaner is commin out! Was thinking the handguard was a replacement because of the wear patterns. It's all original. Ran a brush down the barrel and hit with Copper Out. A very clean barrel. Lands looks soft before cleaning. Wish all those Mausers had barrels like this. Overall, a very clean gun. I only had crud in the lug area of receiver. The receiver is loose in stock. It might be a candidate for a bedding job. __________________ [IMG]http://img287.echo.cx/img287/63/9130110x100a4vb.jpg Last edited by Full MeTal Jack; 11-12-2006 at 08:13 AM.

11-13-2006, 09:37 PM	#12
Full MeTal Jack Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,421 Trader Rating: (0)	Well boys, just wasn't happy with the way the K-31 stock looked. Used the oven cleaner. Just was not happy with all the dents and dirt. Now she's clean, the grain is raised and all dents raised to some degree. The wood looks almost new! Will use damp terry towel and try to iron out the remaining dings. Unlike my Ceczh VZ-24, that one looks like it was whipped with a 1/4" chain. That one will remain in it's true unaltered condition. When it's done, I'll post pics. That is what we all like to see. __________________ [IMG]http://img287.echo.cx/img287/63/9130110x100a4vb.jpg