Iso alcohol: simplest product to lightly clean old wood? --Also have mineral spirits (?).--

[Ignition Override]

The old furniture (unknown types) on the "Century L1A1 Sporter (on Imbel)" FAL has no visible grime that I can recognize.
For my age I've done almost nothing with wood (just used a stain or fast-dry poly..)

But this furniture might have lots of sweat residue from the hands of guys who served decades ago in the army Dunnunda (Australia).

I'm not interested in any involved "mixing this and that", just rubbing it with a Single liquid- possibly just two if entry-level mixing is needed.
The wood appears to have stain but it's very difficult to know what has been used over a few decades.

People online recommend having at least a 90% version of isopropyl alcohol to limit the water content. --- My iso is 99%.
Is a simple gentle rub with mineral spirits (Jasco brand) a better idea?

 

[film495]

I'd first try just washing it with mineral spirits and a rag to wipe it. Just keep wiping it with a rag dabbed with mineral spirits until the rag stops getting dirt and gunk on it.

 

[1KPerDay]

Mineral spirits is very mild IME. It takes a long time to clean anything. If that matters. If it has no visible grime why mess with it?

 

[Outlaw75]

Naphta. It's what a lot of guitar techs and luthiers use to clean off the sweat/grime/dead skin build up you get on guitars. You can either just use Ronsonol lighter fluid or get a can of VM&P Naphtha at Home Depot or your local paint store. Just keep in mind that VM&P is more pure Naphtha than Ronsonol, so use more sparingly and go slow with until you develop a feel for it.

 

[NMexJim]

This is a long article but worth the read. The main focus is military firearms, but there is also some good info on various finishes.

Wood Cleaning Article - Civilian Marksmanship Program

USGI Rifle Stocks and Hand Guards: Walnut and Birch Entry Level Care and Preservation Tips and Considerations for CMP Wood (August 2005 Revision: Sections 6.1 and 6.7 have additions and Sections 6.4a and 6.4b are new.) CMP surplus rifles such as the M1 Garand, M1903 Springfield, and the various...

thecmp.org

 

[doubleh]

I have no interest in old military arms so can't comment on cleaning them. 91% rubbing alcohol is excellent for removing newer gunk off guns though. Wet a cloth and wipe, changing place on the cloth frequently. Work fast on hot days as it evaporates quickly. If I was to really scrub one I would probably awitch to mineral spirits but not the osrless kind.

 

[tmd16556]

Ethanol (denatured) works for me. It will take oil off much faster. I tried mixing with mineral spirits but they didn’t actually mix well.