Tacky Blond Stock - The Firearms Forum

Terry G · 05-21-2004, 08:35 PM

I bought a Yugoslavian SKS in excellent condition, metal dark and shiny, bore clean and bright, and a almost perfect blond stock. For protection, I put a coat of Boiled Linseed Oil on it and it turned the wood into a sticky texture that wouldn't come off with alcohol. Before I take mineral spirits to it, I thought I would seek some help. Could this stock have been shellaced or otherwise coated with a protective shield I shouldn't mess with? Like I said this one's a beauty and I'd hate to mess it up. Thank You.

merc · 05-22-2004, 04:36 AM

Hi Terry
Try letting is sit for 24 hours then wipe it with a dry cloth.
It sounds as if the stock had a varnish on it, which the oil attacked.
It sounds like you may have to use some alcohol to clean it with.
good luck..
and please let us know how you make out and what worked so we can all learn.

Terry G · 05-22-2004, 12:04 PM

Well, alcohol won't remove it, I guess I'll try mineral spirits.

merc · 05-23-2004, 04:04 PM

Well I would think mineral spirits would cut the goo.
Just don't leave it on too long.
It might start on the finish.
I would think that after you get it all cleaned up you should clean it good with water to kill the effect of the solvent then apply your linseed oil again.
Keep me informed of what works.

1952Sniper · 05-26-2004, 12:00 PM

The Yugoslavian M59/66 had no real finish to begin with... at least, none that I've ever been able to detect. Definitely not shellac or any of the more durable finishes. If anything, it may have had a light oil finish.

I'm betting that the reason your BLO finish didn't work too well is because the wood is still full of cosmoline and can't soak up any BLO. So it just lays on the surface until it cures, which can take a while and it will be sticky in the meantime.

What did you do to clean the cosmoline out of the wood before you tried this?

05-21-2004, 08:35 PM	#1
Terry G V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 120	Tacky Blond Stock I bought a Yugoslavian SKS in excellent condition, metal dark and shiny, bore clean and bright, and a almost perfect blond stock. For protection, I put a coat of Boiled Linseed Oil on it and it turned the wood into a sticky texture that wouldn't come off with alcohol. Before I take mineral spirits to it, I thought I would seek some help. Could this stock have been shellaced or otherwise coated with a protective shield I shouldn't mess with? Like I said this one's a beauty and I'd hate to mess it up. Thank You. Attached Images __________________ "An Armed Society is a Polite Society." -->

05-22-2004, 04:36 AM	#2
merc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pelham, NH Posts: 309	Hi Terry Try letting is sit for 24 hours then wipe it with a dry cloth. It sounds as if the stock had a varnish on it, which the oil attacked. It sounds like you may have to use some alcohol to clean it with. good luck.. and please let us know how you make out and what worked so we can all learn. __________________ Merc Living without Liberty is not Living

05-22-2004, 12:04 PM	#3
Terry G V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 120	Well, alcohol won't remove it, I guess I'll try mineral spirits. __________________ "An Armed Society is a Polite Society."

05-23-2004, 04:04 PM	#4
merc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pelham, NH Posts: 309	Well I would think mineral spirits would cut the goo. Just don't leave it on too long. It might start on the finish. I would think that after you get it all cleaned up you should clean it good with water to kill the effect of the solvent then apply your linseed oil again. Keep me informed of what works. __________________ Merc Living without Liberty is not Living

05-26-2004, 12:00 PM	#5
1952Sniper Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 5,138	The Yugoslavian M59/66 had no real finish to begin with... at least, none that I've ever been able to detect. Definitely not shellac or any of the more durable finishes. If anything, it may have had a light oil finish. I'm betting that the reason your BLO finish didn't work too well is because the wood is still full of cosmoline and can't soak up any BLO. So it just lays on the surface until it cures, which can take a while and it will be sticky in the meantime. What did you do to clean the cosmoline out of the wood before you tried this?