Remove oil, clean up grips

[Riesel]

Working on a pistol that got caught in a hurricane salt bath. Guy rinsed pistol in fresh water then drop the whole thing in bucket of oil. Pistol in OK condition but walnut grips turn the dark color of 30 weight motor oil. Do I stand a chance of getting these to a lighter color. Stripper ain't cutting it but it did take off any finish that was there.

 

[Dub]

too late now but I would have removed the grips prior to the dip

 

[nicholst55]

The grips are probably toast, but if they have sentimental value you can try some Old Fashioned Whiting. It's a tedious process, but it works pretty well.

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[Riesel]

Yes, they have sentimental value, but may end up as a dark walnut. They are actually in very good condition
considering, with good sharp checkering. I might just clean them up best I can and spray with a polyurethane finish.

 

[Dub]

not sure Polyerentathane will adhere to oil

 

[akajun]

Judicious use of denatured alcohol, whiting, and low heat on a rack in an old toaster oven or make a cook box out of a light bulb , foil, and cardboard
We used to cook the cosomoline out of stocks with those methods
Takes time , weeks even but does wirk

 

[SSL]

I've had luck on the past with oil-stained and darkened wrist areas on old rifles that were stored butt down and dripping with years of grease by using spray oven cleaner. Spray, let sit and then wipe off. Can take awhile and multiple cycles if soaked deep. Original finish will be toast though

 

[Intheshop]

Yes on above use of "low heat" and time.

Good luck,please do a follow up post and let us know how they made out.