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Some people maybe affected by the desecration of well used, damaged, cracked stocks placed in a common dishwasher. The internet said it would not only completely destroy USGI stocks, but also a kitten will be harmed.
OK, enough disclaimer.
I heard on the internet that a dishwasher works for cleaning old, dirty gunstocks. A bit more reading showed it to be a bit controversial, some say it works great, others claim it is offensive and not to even think about it.
From my other threads you may know I am happy to try different (reasonable) methods of stock cleaning and treatment methods. I came across 200 or so well used Garand stocks and decided to try. In my old apartment I cleaned 20 or so with great results.
In remodeling my kitchen at Ft Zveno I had the old dishwasher, and 150+ stocks to clean remaining. I setup the dishwasher behind my house (my Alabama neighborhood is not exclusive enough for me to place it out front near one of the many cars in my yard with no wheels). I added a "T" to a hot water line and ran a line to it; the hot water is important.
This week I selected 4 average to below average USGI M1 Garand stocks and fully documented the before and after.
You may say it can't work and go to the next post, or you may look at my photos and description and decide for yourself.
I have the full resolution photos stored so if there is something you are curious about just let me know and I can retrieve it. I made 1 graphic per stock for before, and for after to save photo hosting and CMP forum space, but have the originals.
All stocks were form Dupage, are USGI with plenty of dirt, grime, dents, scratches, a few cracks, and plenty of markings, proof marks and cartouches.
My conclusions remain as I have stated before:
1. I would not do this to a valuable or collectable stock. Not only do many state that you should not do much, if any cleaning to them (but it is your stock, do what you want), my experience shows slow and non intrusive moving to more intrusive is best for such work.
2. I have cleaned about 125 USGI and 50 foreign M1 Garand stocks in a dishwasher. I have tried many cleaners, many settings and found what worked better, and worse for me. But there may be other cleaners that work better, or worse as well.
4. Heat is good. My water is pretty hot (almost too hot to submerge a hand in a bucket). I found NO setting combination that damaged (in my opinion) any stocks.
5. I do not see any stocks that were harmed by this method. Dents were raised and even removed. However, grain was raised. I do not see this as a problem, it is minor and no different form any other water based stock cleaning method I have tried. A few minutes with scotchbrite, sandpaper or steel wool will take it down without causing any damage to the woodgrain or markings.
6. I have seen NO evidence a cartouche, proof mark or other intentionally stamped mark was removed. I found some faint markings and they were still just as sharp after the dishwasher. But again, if a valuable stock, I personally would not do this. See the pics below and make up your own mind.
7. I did not see any painted on markings removed. In all cases they remained, in the same condition as before cleaning.
8. Carved graffiti remained in most cases. Some lighter scratches were raised, to the point of removal.
OK, here goes.
I prefer Purple Power (or Dollar Tree equivalents, just use more because it is already diluted). I have tried many other cleaners, several dishwashing detergents and the good quality water based degreasers work best. PP is cheap at Walmart (I found a 5 gallon container from which I fill up my 1 gallon container).
I pour in about 1 cup (I do not measure, nor have I found the need to do so) as seen in the pictures below.
Then I pre-treat the stock. This is important, I can see the results. If I do not pre-treat the stock then it may need a 2nd run in the dishwasher.
What, you may ask, is pretreating? Either spray (the 50% diluted with water mix works great) the entire stock until it is soaking, or just wipe some on with an old rag as seen here. If spraying, let it sit wet a few minutes then give the entire stock a quick scrub with a plastic dish brush. 1 minute for the entire stock is all it takes. If using the rag, just come back and rub it again with the soaked rag; this is to loosen the crud.
Stocks 1 and 2 used Purple Power. Stocks 3 and 4 had Simple Green. I have seen no real difference, judge for your self (Simple Green is slightly more expensive). My recommendation is to use something like this that you have already at home. If not, buy one, any one. Simple Green smells nice......
Settings: Heat! Find the hottest setting (these are residential dishwashers, not commercial units that can get too hot?). I tried heated dry and no heated dry, the heated dry seems to get more dents out, again, no damage. So now I set for longest wash time, longest pre and post heat. Mine takes about 2 hours, seems better than the 1 hour quick wash.
Figure out how to remove the top rack and 4 stocks will fit in most residential dishwashers. I only put in 1 for these tests.
More to follow
JH
Some people maybe affected by the desecration of well used, damaged, cracked stocks placed in a common dishwasher. The internet said it would not only completely destroy USGI stocks, but also a kitten will be harmed.
OK, enough disclaimer.
I heard on the internet that a dishwasher works for cleaning old, dirty gunstocks. A bit more reading showed it to be a bit controversial, some say it works great, others claim it is offensive and not to even think about it.
From my other threads you may know I am happy to try different (reasonable) methods of stock cleaning and treatment methods. I came across 200 or so well used Garand stocks and decided to try. In my old apartment I cleaned 20 or so with great results.
In remodeling my kitchen at Ft Zveno I had the old dishwasher, and 150+ stocks to clean remaining. I setup the dishwasher behind my house (my Alabama neighborhood is not exclusive enough for me to place it out front near one of the many cars in my yard with no wheels). I added a "T" to a hot water line and ran a line to it; the hot water is important.
This week I selected 4 average to below average USGI M1 Garand stocks and fully documented the before and after.
You may say it can't work and go to the next post, or you may look at my photos and description and decide for yourself.
I have the full resolution photos stored so if there is something you are curious about just let me know and I can retrieve it. I made 1 graphic per stock for before, and for after to save photo hosting and CMP forum space, but have the originals.
All stocks were form Dupage, are USGI with plenty of dirt, grime, dents, scratches, a few cracks, and plenty of markings, proof marks and cartouches.
My conclusions remain as I have stated before:
1. I would not do this to a valuable or collectable stock. Not only do many state that you should not do much, if any cleaning to them (but it is your stock, do what you want), my experience shows slow and non intrusive moving to more intrusive is best for such work.
2. I have cleaned about 125 USGI and 50 foreign M1 Garand stocks in a dishwasher. I have tried many cleaners, many settings and found what worked better, and worse for me. But there may be other cleaners that work better, or worse as well.
4. Heat is good. My water is pretty hot (almost too hot to submerge a hand in a bucket). I found NO setting combination that damaged (in my opinion) any stocks.
5. I do not see any stocks that were harmed by this method. Dents were raised and even removed. However, grain was raised. I do not see this as a problem, it is minor and no different form any other water based stock cleaning method I have tried. A few minutes with scotchbrite, sandpaper or steel wool will take it down without causing any damage to the woodgrain or markings.
6. I have seen NO evidence a cartouche, proof mark or other intentionally stamped mark was removed. I found some faint markings and they were still just as sharp after the dishwasher. But again, if a valuable stock, I personally would not do this. See the pics below and make up your own mind.
7. I did not see any painted on markings removed. In all cases they remained, in the same condition as before cleaning.
8. Carved graffiti remained in most cases. Some lighter scratches were raised, to the point of removal.
OK, here goes.
I prefer Purple Power (or Dollar Tree equivalents, just use more because it is already diluted). I have tried many other cleaners, several dishwashing detergents and the good quality water based degreasers work best. PP is cheap at Walmart (I found a 5 gallon container from which I fill up my 1 gallon container).
I pour in about 1 cup (I do not measure, nor have I found the need to do so) as seen in the pictures below.
Then I pre-treat the stock. This is important, I can see the results. If I do not pre-treat the stock then it may need a 2nd run in the dishwasher.
What, you may ask, is pretreating? Either spray (the 50% diluted with water mix works great) the entire stock until it is soaking, or just wipe some on with an old rag as seen here. If spraying, let it sit wet a few minutes then give the entire stock a quick scrub with a plastic dish brush. 1 minute for the entire stock is all it takes. If using the rag, just come back and rub it again with the soaked rag; this is to loosen the crud.
Stocks 1 and 2 used Purple Power. Stocks 3 and 4 had Simple Green. I have seen no real difference, judge for your self (Simple Green is slightly more expensive). My recommendation is to use something like this that you have already at home. If not, buy one, any one. Simple Green smells nice......
Settings: Heat! Find the hottest setting (these are residential dishwashers, not commercial units that can get too hot?). I tried heated dry and no heated dry, the heated dry seems to get more dents out, again, no damage. So now I set for longest wash time, longest pre and post heat. Mine takes about 2 hours, seems better than the 1 hour quick wash.
Figure out how to remove the top rack and 4 stocks will fit in most residential dishwashers. I only put in 1 for these tests.
More to follow
JH
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