Gun Cleaning Question

[Gordon_Freeman]

I have a really old inherited pump shotgun. It was wrapped in camo tape for years. I took the tape off and there is sticky residue from the tape all over the metal and wood. I finally figured out that WD-40 removes the residue from the metal. I started scrubbing the wood with 0000 steel wool. It does take the residue off, but it seems to dull the wood finish.

The wood is all beat up and cracked because it is so old. Is there a better way to remove the residue other than steel wool? Does mineral spirits work on the wood? The wood is beat up, but this is an ancient gun, Remington 10-A. What should I do to clean up the wood? Continue with the steel wool or something else?

I do not recommend anyone put camo tape on their gun. It really leaves a sticky mess to clean up.

 

[Der Stro]

That's a tough one as most solvents will take the finish right off the wood. I would recommend using murphy's oil soap and a rag, that should be enough to gently take the gunk off. Roughly the same as mineral oil but with a bit more of a kick. Anything more abrasive than a rag will dull the finish or just take it off outright. I would not recommend using steel wool.

 

[P5 Guy]

Clean the wood and refinish with Boiled or Raw Linseed Oil. If you can find some and have a place with great ventilation use acetone to clean the glue and old finish off the wood.
When refinishing wood take your time. use thin coats and leave plenty of time for the oil to soak in or dry. If you are doing more than one coat in a 12 hour period you are going too fast. Or the wood was really dry for the first coat or two.
Fix any cracks before applying the first coat.

 

[o Unforgiven o]

I am not sure what kind of finish you have on on the wood, but if you want to preserve it steel wool is not the way to go.

If the wood appears sealed, (a drop of water just sits on the surface and wipes away dry) then I would try a soft rag and some lighter fluid.

 

[Gordon_Freeman]

Thanks for the info guys. I looked up the value of this gun. It appears that it is only worth around $100. Please tell me that I'm wrong about this.
Do I really need to be concerned with the wood finish? This gun is really old. Please tell me the easiest way to get the residue off of this old gun.

 

[P5 Guy]

A solvent that de-solves the glue. I have had good results with acetone Nail Polish Remover. It will take the finish off the wood, if that's a problem.
You only identify this firearm as an old pump shotgun. Who made it? Remington, Winchester, Ithica, Stevens? You might be better off looking for a new plastic stock set.

 

[Gordon_Freeman]

Remington 10-A.

 

[P5 Guy]

Well maybe not. Last made in 1929.
Are the stocks in real bad shape? Can you get the cracks open enough for getting some Gorilla Glue in them and clamp it to dry?

 

[rcmodel]

I'd at least try Lemon Oil Furniture polish and 0000 Super Fine grade steel wool.

That is what I use when restoring old Winchesters, and they come out looking about like they did when made with no harm to the old varnish or lacquer finish they used then.

However, the cammo tape may have already ruined the underlaying factory finish and it may be too late to do anything about it, except strip it by whatever method and refinish it.

rc

 

[Remllez]

Get yourself a Citrus based cleaner like rc mentioned and some burlap bags/ fabric and use only enough pressure to remove the adhesive. As for the cracks I usually make custom sized wood wedges and lightly tap them in.

Remember "lightly" and use some high quality wood glue forced deep into the crack, then clamp or tape until dry.

 

[doubleh]

WD 40 took it off the metal. It will also remove it from the wood. Rubbing alcohol will remove the WD 40. Then go over everything with a good wax. Johnson's Paste Wax comes to mind. Polish with a soft cloth and remove the white wax from the cracks and lettering with a soft brush. An old toothbrush does a good job.

 

[gdesloge]

Possibly Ballistol?

gd

 

[Gordon_Freeman]

Thanks guys. So WD-40 is safe on wood? I started scrubbing the wood with 0000 steel wool. It looked like the wood finish got dull, but this may have been tape residue smearing on it. Does 0000 steel wool mess up the finish on wood?

 

[buddyemily]

Have you considered Goo-gone?

 

[buddyemily]

Goo-Gone is citrus based. http://www.googone.com/