How do you get sweat stains from a gun stock?

Answer 1

That depends on the type of finish on the wood. For an oil finish, and for white water marks, try a few drops of denatured alcohol rubbed on, and permitted to evaporate (careful, flammable). The alcohol combines with the water that causes the white color, and draws it out of the wood. For older, dark stains, it may require the use of a solvent, such as acetone (again, flammable) mixed with whiting (a fine powder you can get from most paint shops). Mix to a paste, apply, let set until dry, brush off.

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Another method you may wish to try in the instance of older, darker stains is to take a fabric or curtain steamer and see if you can use that to "sweat" the stain out of the wood. It's a common method for removing cosmoline, and has the added benefit of not using harsh chemicals which may end up requiring the wood to be refinished afterwards.