My Stock has Dried Out and has White Blotches

[jumprun3]

I bought a rack grade Garand several years ago, shot it a few times, cleaned it and stored it under my bed in a good hard-sided plastic rifle case with padding. I kept meaning to pull it out and check on it but the years flew by. Today I opened it up and was shocked. There's no rust on the metal but the wood has large white blotches, mostly where it would be gripped.

I'd rather not do a complete refinish if I could avoid it. Is there anything you'd recommend to revitalize and nourish the wood?

[Zorba]

I'm no expert, but it sounds like old finish/wax has "gone off" from skin oils. See if it just comes off first...

[jumprun3]

Thanks, good idea. What would you recommend I use as a cleaner?

[jak]

The white splotches could be mold. Try to wipe it off with a cloth. If it comes off...great. Get some boiled linseed oil and put a light coat of it on the stock and hand guards. Let it soak in and then wipe off the excess. Don't store the rifle in the case as it will trap moisture. Check the barrel for rust too. If the white splotches don't wipe off, post some pictures of it.

[Zorba]

Thanks, good idea. What would you recommend I use as a cleaner?

Some will disagree with this - and perhaps rightfully so, as again, I'm no expert. But I'd use Murphy's Wood Oil Soap. It'll strip the BLO out of the wood, you'll need to refinish afterwards. If you're trying to avoid that, then don't do this...

Try Jak's idea first, and do check the bbl as he suggests...

[Smokey]

Let us know how the bore is. There are multiple ways of dealing with the wood. The military used raw linseed oil because it penetrates deep into the wood instead of forming a thin surface layer. Suggest you consider going over all the wood with something to kill the mold, then work a finish. If the wood is some kind of beech or birch I use a water based walnut stain with rubbing alcohol added; and then apply raw linseed oil twice a day until it stops soaking in (This can take a while). Be sure to store the rifle out of that case with an oil film inside the barrel. I use a one-piece stainless steel cleaning rod with a brass ferrule to keep it centered in the muzzle. If by mischance you uses a sectioned aluminum rod, DO NOT LET IT TOUCH THE INSIDE OF THE BARREL!!! It WILL cause damage.
Sapphire is one of the hardest gemstones, and it's simply aluminum oxide. The joints will scrape up the bore.

[RDS]

Wipe the stock down with mineral spirits. When dry wipe down with linseed oil.

[AJ Brink]

This is an old post, never but never store a weapon in one of those plastic foam filled gun cases, I use a soft cover that white stuff is from oil and acid from your skin. I always use gloves when I shoot, those nomex flying gloves summer weight are great. When I clean my 1903 and Garand I use plastic disposable gloves. Not to offend just my opinion. AJ

[AJ Brink]

Well I wanted to wish all you Troopers a Merry Christmas, I had to do some work on my stock, Its been ?Bedded and I am going to use trucoat, started the process and It’s going to be glossy, my M-1 has a new black walnut stock, kinda tiger striped, that tru coat should bring it out. Had a few issues at the firing range, but I think I may have it under control. Plan to shoot again in February. AJ

[AJ Brink]

I may have fixed my problem, anyway I hope so. My Trigger assembly was really dirty, had issues trying to disassemble it. Soaked it in Mouse milk, loosened all that oil and grease up. Finally got it apart, used Spray way cleaner and cleaned it up. All the pieces looked great, inspected for cracks, which I suspected was my problem, a broken part, but found nothing. CMP advises never lube that assembly! My safety was jammed half way on half way off. Anyway I used a very small amount of Remington oil, on the safety and hammer release, It works great now,really smooth operating, AJ