I want to clean up the flintlock stock I'm refinishing and would also like to get rid of the black stains on the wood where it made contact with the barrel, lock, etc.....

I've heard that Oxylic acid, or wood bleach, does a nice job of this. Can any of you confirm this or suggest what I may do to remove some of the stain and these blackened areas?

Thanks,

Fritz

Fritz.........

I haven't used those two items.............. but I did have good luck using acetone.
1st I had to strip off the old urethane finish (not necessary if your rifle has an oil finish) and worked the stock with acetone and decreasing grades of steel wool. this bleached out most all of the color real well.
Just make sure to wear good rubber gloves while working with the acetone and don't use any plastic containers. []

I once had a recipe for bleaching stocks. It was given to me by an Ole Timer gunsmith. It introduced actual bleach, water and mister clean.